BOONE, IOWA (RFD NEWS) — As the 2026 Farm Progress Show wraps up in Boone, Iowa, Syngenta is highlighting a new corn rootworm trait technology designed to give farmers another tool for managing one of agriculture’s costly pests.
Durastak technology is Syngenta’s latest corn rootworm innovation and is available for farmers to purchase for the 2027 growing season.
Three-Protein Stack Targets Corn Rootworm
Syngenta says Durastak is the industry’s first three-Bt-protein stack specifically designed for corn rootworm control.
The technology is offered through a selection of Golden Harvest hybrids, giving farmers another option for managing rootworm pressure, particularly in fields with a history of continuous corn.
Syngenta featured five Durastak hybrids at the Farm Progress Show.
The lineup ranges from 95 to 104 relative maturity and is designed to provide a combination of yield potential, standability, and additional corn rootworm protection.
Some of the hybrids also combine Durastak with Viptera trait technology for broader lepidopteran control.
Giving Farmers Another Option to Address a Costly Pest
Corn rootworm remains a significant challenge for farmers, particularly in continuous-corn systems.
Syngenta representatives say corn rootworm damage can cost farmers up to $1 billion annually, with yield losses associated with rootworm injury.
The company says its Durastak hybrids have shown an average yield increase of 9.7 bushels per acre compared with its existing portfolio in testing.
Syngenta also reports a two-fold increase in root protection with its Durastak products.
One of the primary messages Syngenta is hearing from farmers at the Farm Progress Show is a desire for something different.
Farmers dealing with recurring corn rootworm pressure may need to look below the soil surface to understand what is happening in their fields.
Continuous corn can create conditions where rootworm populations become increasingly difficult to manage, making trait diversity and other management strategies important tools for producers.
Syngenta says Durastak gives farmers another option instead of sticking with the same technology and expecting different results.
Available for the 2027 Season
The company is encouraging farmers to work with their local Golden Harvest dealer or seed advisor to determine which hybrids and traits best fit their fields and growing conditions.
Farmers can also learn more about Durastak and Golden Harvest’s corn lineup through the company’s online resources.
As farmers make seed decisions for 2027, Syngenta says its goal is to provide additional choices for producers facing corn rootworm and other pest-management challenges.
LEARN MORE: www.syngenta-us.com/seeds/
