Stacking up new protections for corn

Across the American Midwest, you’ll find the farmland that makes up the US Corn Belt. Here, the rich soils and favorable weather provide perfect conditions for growing corn.

American corn growers help feed the world – according to the US Grain Council , US farmers exported 1.6 billion bushels of corn to 58 different countries in 2022-23, enough grain to fill a convoy of freight trains stretching from New York to Los Angeles and back again.

Given the economic significance of corn farming in the US and its global impact, protecting this key crop from pests is critical. One of the most destructive threats is the corn rootworm, a highly aggressive pest capable of devastating yields if left unchecked.

As Matt Dolch, Syngenta Corn Product Manager explains, “corn rootworm costs farmers in the US up to a billion dollars annually in lost revenue and other control costs.” This small insect is found across the Corn Belt and can cause serious damage to corn across its life cycle. As Dolch explains “one of the biggest challenges with corn rootworm is that they’re smart and they’re really voracious.”

The insect lays its eggs in the soil and as the summer continues, they hatch into a mass of minuscule white worms. These larvae will find its nutrition through feeding on the corn roots. This is where much of the damage from corn rootworm comes from as larvae, tunnel into the root nodes of corn plants. Dolch highlights that “according to research from Iowa State University, corn rootworm costs farmers an average 15% yield loss per node of root injury. Multiply that loss across every plant in a field and it quickly becomes clear the scale of the damage that corn rootworm can inflict.

Trait technologies taking on the pest

When it comes to managing corn rootworm, an integrated pest management strategy is key. An important and powerful tool in that strategy is making the most of genetic traits in particular hybrids. Thanks to the works of pioneering plant scientists like Mary-Dell Chilton, Syngenta scientists can protect yield potential using biotechnology traits. Increasingly scientists will “stack” desirable traits into a hybrid’s genetics to give more comprehensive protection from particular threats.

One of the most effective ways of introducing pest protection into the genetics of corn is through altering the plant to emit an insecticidal protein when it’s attacked by a pest. A great source for these traits is the proteins produced by the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis, otherwise known as Bt proteins.

Triple stack, triple mode of action

But getting these proteins into the right place in a plant’s genetics requires some sophisticated science. Dolch explains that “Syngenta innovations like HI-Edit technology show that we can get new traits to farmers more efficiently and effectively than ever.”

One of Syngenta’s newest breakthroughs is Durastak trait technology, the industry’s first triple Bt protein stack for corn rootworm control. Durastak offers three modes of action which is key for helping farmers manage resistance. Without rotating through different modes of action or by overusing a single mode of action corn rootworm can adapt, and traits can become less effective over time.

As Dolch explains, “we’re using proven technology but combined in our own proprietary molecular stack. This means we have the best potential for durable, long-term management of this pest.”

Dolch says “farmers are so excited about getting a new tool to help them manage this threat.” But it’s not just about the protection that Durastak offers. Dolch says, “Durastak has great agronomic performance with +9.7 Bu/A average advantage over hybrids with the Duracade trait stack under moderately heavy CRW pressure.”

This exciting technology will be first available for farmers to plant in the spring of 2026 and will quickly ramp-up in volume as leading hybrids are advanced in the coming seasons.

“Durastak brings a strong solution to over 30 million US corn acres impacted by corn rootworm annually. We’ve developed best in class corn rootworm management without sacrificing yield agronomics. If you’re a corn farmer, you can’t afford not to plant hybrids with Durastak,” says Dolch.