Pea growers will be able to use a new seed dressing this spring, crop protection firm Syngenta has announced.

Wakil XL will be available in the UK for the first time this season. The product is said to be made from a new triple-action formulation that provides a higher level of protection against a wider range of diseases, while having a significantly lower chemical content than Apron Elite – the previous industry-standard pea seed dressing it replaces.

Syngenta claims independent HDC and PGRO trials have demonstrated improved plant stand counts from Wakil XL treated seed, compared to all other seed treatments.

Syngenta field vegetable products manager Bruce McKenzie, pictured, advises Wakil XL use on vining and combining pea crops.

'Seed dressing with Wakil XL will minimise losses, particularly in difficult seasons,' he says. 'Pea seedlings are far more susceptible to disease and damping off in cold, wet seedbeds and cloddy conditions. Those growers who didn't dress seed last spring experienced serious early field losses. The insurance of seed treatment will have paid dividends.'

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