The battle against corn rootworm (CRW) continues to challenge U.S. corn producers, costing them up to $1 billion annually¹. As this underground pest evolves and adapts, Syngenta is revolutionizing new solutions to help farmers protect their yield potential and return on investment.

Challenges with CRW

Corn rootworm has earned its reputation as one of the most devastating pests in corn production. Its below-ground feeding habits make early detection difficult, while its remarkable ability to adapt to control measures creates ongoing management challenges. The pest feeds on corn roots during early growth stages impacting standability, nutrient uptake, and overall yield potential. Environmental variability and crop rotation practices influence the level of CRW pressure, making management a moving target from year to year.

Traditionally, farmers have relied on a combination of management practices to control CRW: crop rotation, soil-applied insecticides, and traited hybrids. Rotation alone may not always be feasible, and some geographies, rotation-resistant CRW populations complicate the strategy. Adapted variants of CRW, known as western CRW variant or northern CRW with extended diapause, have changed their lifecycles to overcome single-year rotation (Figure 1).

Soil insecticides can help, but they are rarely a complete solution, especially under high or escalating pressure. Many traited hybrids on the market today rely on similar Bt proteins. While these traits have delivered value for years, limited diversity in modes of action increases the risk of resistance over time. When the same tools are used repeatedly across acres and seasons, durability becomes a concern. Farmers are not looking for incremental improvements. They need new trait combinations and greater diversity to stay ahead of the pest long term.

Breakthrough Technology: Introducing Durastak trait technology

Durastak^™ trait technology is the industry’s first triple Bt protein trait stack designed specifically for corn rootworm control (Figure 2). By combining three distinct, proven Bt proteins, Durastak brings a new level of diversity to rootworm management. This additional protein diversity translates into stronger and more consistent control under moderate pressure levels. It also supports resistance management by reducing reliance on the same limited set of proteins available in previous trait stacks.

In field trials, roots remain strong and well developed, even in challenging environments. Feeding is dramatically reduced compared to untreated checks and older trait stacks. Plants stand better, remain stable later into the season, and maintain overall health through key reproductive stages. Overall, Durastak trait technology is providing 2X more nodal root protection for increased standability under moderately heavy CRW pressure² (Figure 3).

Better root protection improves standability but also provides a stronger root system to support nutrient and water uptake during critical growth stages ultimately leading to greater yield potential. On average, hybrids with Durastak trait technology tend to yield 9.7 bu/acre greater than hybrids with Duracade^® trait ². (Figure 4)

Durastak helps safeguard farmer return on investment by providing next level CRW control, improved standability, and top end yield potential utilizing three power modes of action against CRW. Durstak, integrated within a long-term CRW management strategy, can deliver additional control to stay ahead of one of the most devastating pests in corn production.