New Corn Rootworm Insecticide Technology Reaches Iowa
Iowa corn growers now have access to Syngenta’s soil-applied Opello treatment for managing rootworm populations.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Agriculture
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Syngenta recently introduced its PLINAZOLIN insecticide technology to Iowa growers for the 2026 planting season. The product line includes the soil-applied treatment Opello, which is designed to manage corn rootworm populations.
Why it matters
The introduction of this new chemistry provides Iowa corn producers with an additional option for rootworm management following a decade of research and development. Operators now have a new tool to include in their long-term crop protection rotation strategies.
The new PLINAZOLIN insecticide technology enters the market following a 10-year research and development phase. It is now available to Iowa farmers as a soil-applied solution for corn rootworm, marking the first year of commercial use for the chemistry.
The players
Syngenta
A multinational agribusiness corporation specializing in crop protection chemicals, seeds, and biologicals with a global distribution network.
The details
Syngenta is deploying this technology through a suite of products, with Opello serving as the primary soil-applied option for rootworm control. By applying the treatment directly to the soil, growers can target rootworm larvae before they compromise the root systems of corn crops. This approach integrates into standard planting operations, offering an alternative mechanism for managing resistant pest populations.
Timeline
Federal and state registrations for the technology were finalized in late 2025.
2026 marked the first year farmers could apply the technology to their fields.
Market Landscape
The rollout of the PLINAZOLIN platform represents the commercial culmination of a decade-long research program by Syngenta. This introduction marks a significant shift in the available insecticide market as new chemical modes of action reach Iowa growers.
Iowa growers should evaluate how this new soil-applied chemistry fits into their current integrated pest management protocols for the upcoming season. Consult with local agronomy advisors to determine the cost-benefit of integrating this specific technology into current corn rootworm control plans.
The takeaway
The arrival of new chemistry like PLINAZOLIN provides an opportunity to reassess crop protection rotations that may have relied on the same active ingredients for several seasons. Operators should monitor their own field performance data this year to determine if this new technology offers improved control over existing pest pressures.
Further reading
For more information on the evolving tools available for crop protection, visit the Agriculture section.
More information
Review the full Syngenta PLINAZOLIN technology information page for detailed application guidelines.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Iowa's News & Talk Station - News/talk 1540 Kxel - Waterloo/cedar Falls,.
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