Syngenta South Africa has announced the launch of SILVALIS®, the country’s first registered IRAC Group 30 insecticide. Powered by PLINAZOLIN® technology, SILVALIS® introduces a completely new mode of action to South African agriculture, marking a significant milestone in crop protection innovation.
Registered for the control of potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella), SILVALIS® gives potato growers an important new tool to manage one of their most challenging pests while supporting long-term insecticide resistance management.
Making the announcement, Sarike le Roux, Syngenta’s Head of Marketing says: “It reflects what we are working towards as Syngenta – turning science and innovation into practical breakthroughs that help farmers achieve higher yields with lower impact.”
Feedback from growers using the product is “always better than anything we predicted. Better than our own trials suggested. It is, honestly, humbling,” says Chris Steyn, Syngenta’s Portfolio Manager Insect Control.
Silvalis® is a suspension concentrate insecticide developed over the past 10 years to deliver an advanced new level of pest control. Its launch marks an important milestone for Syngenta South Africa and brings much-needed new chemistry to local potato growers combatting the potato tuber moth.
The formulation contains the active ingredient isocycloseram and is powered by Syngenta’s PLINAZOLIN® technology. It introduces a new active ingredient and an Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) Group 30 mode of action to the South African potato market, giving growers an important additional tool for protecting crops and supporting long-term insecticide resistance management.
The potato tuber moth can cause severe losses if left unmanaged, with the potential to destroy up to 100% of a commercial crop. Its larvae damage leaves, stems and, most critically, tubers, both in the field and in storage. As insect pressure, resistance challenges and expectations around crop quality continue to increase, growers need effective and sustainable options that fit within integrated pest management (IPM) programmes.
PLINAZOLIN® technology is the result of more than a decade of research. It was developed to provide effective control of difficult and economically important insect pests while supporting sustainable insect management programmes.
A defining characteristic of the technology is its ability to remain active on treated plant surfaces following application at the first signs of infestation. This behaviour contributes to sustained insecticidal performance and effective protection against the potato tuber moth.
The formulation also helps maintain activity after rainfall and offers enhanced ultraviolet (UV) stability, which reduces degradation caused by sunlight. Together, these properties contribute to reliable field performance and help maintain effective pest control under varying environmental conditions.
Silvalis® is further designed to disrupt the insect’s nervous system. It quickly stops feeding and helps limit further crop damage.
Its novel IRAC Group 30 classification provides growers with a different mode of action from several commonly used insecticide groups, supporting effective rotation strategies that help reduce the risk of insecticide resistance.
When incorporated into a well-structured IPM programme, Silvalis® can therefore play an important role in preserving the long-term effectiveness of available insecticides. Gustav Venter, Syngenta’s Product Biologist Insect Control says the launch is part of a broader approach to responsible pest management, combining innovative chemistry, advanced formulation technology and practical field performance.
To learn more visit www.syngenta.com and https://www.syngenta.co.za/. Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/syngenta_sa/ and LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/syngenta.
