UK and European vegetable growers will have the first opportunity to see some of the new and leading Syngenta varieties and novel crop protection products in action, at this year’s ‘Vegetable Agronomy Open Day’, taking place on Thursday 8 September. 

Hosted and managed by the Processors and Growers Research Organisation (PGRO) near Peterborough, the innovative demonstration site is sponsored by the combined strength of Syngenta Seeds and Crop Protection, in association with Yara Fertilisers. New for this season will be demonstrations of spinach and courgettes as well as further developments in  brassica, allium and lettuce varieties.

The day will commence with a morning conference session, addressing key topical issues for the vegetable industry, including optimising nutrient inputs to influence crop quality and a h a focus on what’s new in vegetable seeds and crop protection.

The afternoon sessions will include a tour of demonstration plots and the chance to quiz company specialists on how to put the available techniques into practice in growing systems this season.

Crops on show for 2011 include:

In addition to the full Syngenta agronomy programmes in use, growers and agronomists will have the opportunity to view results with a new insecticide seed treatment and fungicides that offer exciting potential for a range of vegetable crops.

Syngenta Crop Protection Speciality Crops Manager, Bruce McKenzie said: “We have some incredibly exciting new products in the pipeline for the vegetable industry across the UK and northern Europe. The Vegetable Agronomy Demonstration Site gives growers the chance for a first sight of some of new developments and a valuable opportunity to discuss current crop management issues with company specialists. Growers involvement and feedback at the events will enable us to tailor our development programme to best meet the needs of the industry.”

Syngenta Seeds brassica specialist, Mike Molyneux, added: “Syngenta Integrated Crop Solutions that incorporate the latest agronomy techniques with the exciting potential of our new varieties can help growers quickly achieve the best possible results, in terms of yield and quality, and ultimately profitability.

“The demonstration site will give us an opportunity to view our leading and newer varieties developed for genetic resistance and tolerance to commercial problems and diseases, and highlight how these can be incorporated within agronomy programmes.”

Other new innovations and developments on show will include irrigation tools, precision guided nutrient application, consumer testing for taste and flavour, spray application advice, environmental services and web-based disease prediction services.

As host of the Syngenta Vegetable Agronomy Site, PGRO Chief Executive, Salvador Potter, added: “At a time when there are so many exciting developments in vegetable crop agronomy, combined with the demands from retailers and consumers calling for ever greater quality within tough production protocols and cost constraints, it’s crucial that growers get the chance to see first hand just what is available and how they can put the innovation into practice on their own farms.”

He believes that getting timely in-season information across to growers will be a key focus for the Demonstration Site. “The vegetable industry needs to integrate innovation from among the new varieties, along with sustainable agronomy and fertiliser programmes that can help growers adapt to changing legislative obligations.”

The Whole Crop Agronomy Demonstration Site Open Day is open to growers, agronomists and vegetable industry professionals. Invitations have been mailed to growers, or they can log on and register on-line at www.syngenta-crop.co.uk