Agrisure Viptera 3111 Stack Outyields Competitive DeKalb, Pioneer Offerings by More Than 9 bu/A in 2010 Trials

MINNETONKA, Minn., Nov. 8, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Syngenta Seeds, Inc. has released performance data from its 2010 field trials(1) that show a clear yield advantage for hybrids with its breakthrough Agrisure Viptera™ 3111 trait stack, with those products outyielding competitive products from both Pioneer and DeKalb.

Corn hybrids with the Agrisure Viptera 3111 trait stack, which delivers unsurpassed control of 14 above- and below-ground corn pests, outyielded competitive Pioneer® brand hybrids by an average of 9.7 bu/A. The trials also demonstrated a 9 bu/A yield advantage versus competitive DeKalb® brand Genuity™ SmartStax™ offerings, and 12 bu/A over competitive DeKalb hybrids with the VT Triple PRO™ trait stack.

The Agrisure Viptera 3111 trait stack features Vip3A, the industry's first vegetative insecticidal protein, or VIP. Vip3A has demonstrated highly effective multi-pest control of corn earworm, fall armyworm, Western bean cutworm, black cutworm, dingy cutworm, stalk borer and sugarcane borer, among others. Syngenta estimates damage from these pests costs U.S. corn growers 238 million bushels of corn and $1.1 billion in annual yield and grain quality losses(2).

Corn hybrids containing the Agrisure Viptera trait will be available for planting in the U.S. in 2011. The technology was previewed by more than 7500 growers who experienced this performance in select areas this past summer at Syngenta field trials.

Agrisure Viptera technology is available in hybrids from the Syngenta seed brands of Garst®, Golden Harvest® and NK® and will also be made available through licensing agreements with more than 150 local and independently owned seed companies. For more information about the Agrisure Viptera trait and the Agrisure Viptera 3111 trait stack, visit www.agrisureviptera.com.

About Syngenta

Syngenta is one of the world's leading companies with more than 25,000 employees in over 90 countries dedicated to our purpose: Bringing plant potential to life. Through world-class science, global reach and commitment to our customers we help to increase crop productivity, protect the environment and improve health and quality of life. For more information about us please go to www.syngenta.com.

(1) Syngenta strip trial with hybrids of similar RMs, adjusted for moisture to +/- 3.

(2) Sources: Census 2007 USDA, USDA Risk Management Agency's internal indemnity database. Aflatoxin Center of Excellence of the South, Syngenta Entomology Research.

Crops or other material produced from Agrisure Corn Trait products can only be exported to, used, processed and/or sold in countries where all necessary regulatory approvals have been granted.

Agrisure®, Agrisure Viptera™ and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. Garst® is a registered trademark of Garst Seed Company. Golden Harvest® is a registered trademark of Golden Harvest Seeds, Inc.

All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as 'expect', 'would', 'will', 'potential', 'plans', 'prospects', 'estimated', 'aiming', 'on track' and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements. We refer you to Syngenta's publicly available filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for information about these and other risks and uncertainties. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors. This document does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer, to purchase or subscribe for any ordinary shares in Syngenta AG, or Syngenta ADSs, nor shall it form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract therefor.

SOURCE Syngenta Seeds, Inc.