The rapid spread of Asian Soybean Rust in North America signals real concern for soybean growers. But new research shows there is a proven management tool growers can use to help protect yield and return on investment even before the disease appears in their fields. Optimize™ Promoter Technology™ from Nitragin is key in allowing growers to get the most out of their foliar fungicide applications.

After encountering Asian Soybean Rust, Nitragin’s South American research team has concluded that healthy, vigorous growth helps soybean plants withstand disease pressure. According to Dr. Stew Smith, Vice President Research and Development, Nitragin, Inc., the early-season vigor resulting from the use of Optimize results in stronger, healthier plants that are better able to respond when foliar fungicides are applied to combat Asian Soybean Rust. “The data indicates soybean seeds treated with Optimize, our patented Promoter Technology, show improved stands and early-season vigor. This strong start is a natural enhancement of the plants’ ability to withstand disease stress that continues into the season.” The result is a potential for additional days to scout for a fast-moving disease like Asian Rust, and conditions that help improve the return on investment when fungicide applications are needed.

In research studies conducted by Nitragin in South America on a rust infected field, the data shows that Optimize helps maximize an investment in fungicide treatment. When Optimize treated soybeans were treated with a strobilurin fungicide, average yields were 39.9 bushels per acre, compared to 35 bushels per acre where a fungicide was used alone.

Optimize Promoter Technology was introduced in the United States for soybeans in 2004 after several years of global research by Nitragin. Optimize uses Nitragin’s premium soybean inoculant to deliver a natural biological compound that promotes early soybean plant development by allowing the plant to begin growing nitrogen-fixing nodules almost immediately after germination, independent of weather and soil conditions. “By treating with Optimize, growers will be better able to grow healthy soybeans right from the start, which gives their crop an opportunity to fight Asian Soybean Rust” Smith said. “It’s an additional risk management tool that’s needed when you consider what’s at stake.”

Dr. Scott Fleetwood, Vice President Sales and Marketing said Asian Soybean Rust is a very complex challenge for the entire soybean industry and gathering as much information as possible is critical. “The industry is doing a terrific job generating the broad range of information growers need to defend themselves,” Fleetwood added. “We think a great place to start is with the American Soybean Association and their state affiliate organizations. And you can get more information about Optimize at 800-558-1003 or by visiting our Web site at www.nitragin.com.”

Nitragin, Inc. is an affiliate of Merck KGaA of Darmstadt, Germany. Merck is a global pharmaceutical and chemical company with sales of €7.3 billion in 2003. The company employs more than 28,000 employees in 56 countries.

Optimize and Promoter Technology are trademarks of Nitragin, Inc.