Syngenta Unveils New Herbicide Technology to Fight Global Weed Resistance

VIRESTINA technology targets resistant grass weeds in crops like soybean and cotton

Apr. 8, 2026 at 2:55pm

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Syngenta Crop Protection is introducing a new fourth-generation ACCase inhibitor herbicide technology called VIRESTINA, designed to control grass weeds that have developed resistance to widely used herbicides like glyphosate and clethodim. The technology has received regulatory approval in Argentina and is planned for launches in Brazil, the U.S., Australia, and Canada as Syngenta aims to provide growers with an additional weed management option amid growing resistance challenges.

Why it matters

Herbicide resistance is a major and growing challenge for farmers globally, reducing the effectiveness of key weed control tools. VIRESTINA technology represents a new mode of action that can be used in integrated weed management programs to help preserve the longevity of existing herbicides and support more sustainable crop production.

The details

VIRESTINA technology, with the active ingredient metproxybicyclone, is designed for over-the-top application in crops like soybean and cotton, as well as for use in pre-plant burndown programs. It offers operational flexibility and is positioned to break down rapidly in soil, potentially reducing environmental impact. Syngenta sees strong demand potential for the new technology beyond the initial launch market of Argentina, as growers in major agricultural regions like the U.S., Australia, and Canada also face intensifying weed resistance issues.

  • VIRESTINA technology received regulatory approval in Argentina in 2026.
  • Additional market introductions are planned for Brazil, the U.S., Australia, and Canada.

The players

Syngenta Crop Protection

A global agrochemical company that develops and markets crop protection products, including the new VIRESTINA herbicide technology.

João Vaz

The Global Product Manager for VIRESTINA technology at Syngenta.

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What they’re saying

“At Syngenta, we see VIRESTINA technology as a meaningful step forward in addressing herbicide-resistant grass weeds in crops like soybean and cotton. It's designed to give growers another option at a time when effective tools are becoming more limited.”

— João Vaz, Global Product Manager, VIRESTINA Technology

“It can support integrated weed management programs by adding a different mode of action, which is important for preserving the effectiveness of existing herbicides and slowing the spread of resistance.”

— João Vaz, Global Product Manager, VIRESTINA Technology

What’s next

Syngenta is working to make VIRESTINA technology available in key agricultural markets beyond Argentina, including Brazil, the U.S., Australia, and Canada, where growers are facing increasing challenges from herbicide-resistant weeds.

The takeaway

As herbicide resistance continues to spread globally, innovations like Syngenta's VIRESTINA technology represent an important new tool for farmers to manage resistant grass weeds and support more sustainable integrated weed control programs. The rapid development and planned global rollout of this new mode of action herbicide underscores the industry's focus on providing growers with additional solutions to combat this growing challenge.