Victrato seed treatment has reinforced its role in crown rot management following its first full commercial season of use in Australia, while also marking another important milestone for cereal growers nationwide.
First registered in 2025 for crown rot and recently for root lesion nematodes – an Australian first in cereals Victrato, allows wheat and barley growers to manage both diseases this season with a single seed treatment application.
One year on from its launch, Syngenta brought together more than 100 leading agronomy advisers and global and local company leaders, alongside grower representatives in Brisbane to review performance outcomes and consider implications for 2026 winter cropping programs.
Developed through a five-year Australian program of more than 400 trials, Victrato addresses an estimated over $500 million in annual yield losses in wheat and barley associated with crown rot and root lesion nematodes.
Now assessed under commercial farm conditions, results from its first season of use have strengthened confidence in its fit within integrated disease management programs.
Data generated through the Australian trial program demonstrated strong return potential prior to commercial release.
Across 125 national wheat trials, Victrato applied at 200mL/100kg seed delivered a positive return on investment in 89.6 per cent of trials, with an average yield increase of 13.25 per cent, or 462kg/ha.
Syngenta product lead – broadacre seedcare ANZ, Katie Slade, says the first season, and this event, marked an important milestone in validating the product under commercial conditions.
“Crown rot and root lesion nematodes remain significant, often hidden constraints on yield potential,” Katie says.
“The recent registration of Victrato for use against root lesion nematodes in wheat and barley provides growers with a new, efficient option to manage the risk of both root lesion nematodes and crown rot from day one,” she says.
“Victrato is designed to be integrated into existing management programs to reduce risk, protect yield and support stronger returns when disease pressure is present.
“Applied at sowing, it has also demonstrated strong seed and crop safety across 96 independent trials, with no negative impact on germination or vigour observed.”
Early adopters also reported strong on-farm performance under commercial conditions.
Tom Woods, from Woods Pastoral near Goondiwindi, Queensland, incorporated Victrato into his crown rot management program last season and reported some of the strongest harvest results seen in the region.
“These are some of the biggest yields we've ever seen,” Tom says.
“This has been an exceptional year. There is no crown rot to speak of, screenings are minimal, and test weights are high. I've got to give Victrato a lot of the credit.”
Tom reported yields averaging 5.8 to 5.9 tonnes per hectare across large paddocks – among the best results seen in the region.
“I've grown varieties this year with more confidence that are crown rot susceptible,” Tom says.
“In the past, a year like this would have been rife with crown rot,” he adds.
“This year, yields have been extremely high, which is really exciting, giving growers the payback for investing in that technology.”
Tom says the seed treatment delivers best results as part of a broader management approach.
“You have still got to use all your good farming practices and rotate,” Tom explains.
“Victrato reduces all symptoms of crown rot while providing yield benefits, but it works best as part of your overall disease management strategy.”
With 2026 winter cropping decisions now underway, growers are encouraged to speak with their local agronomist or advisor about how Victrato can be integrated into their crown rot and nematode management strategies for the season ahead.
