Defense planning is under way across the country. No-tillers are taking aim at the weeds, insects and diseases that could threaten their soybean crops in 2004. And as the threats to soybeans change — aphids have become a bigger problem in the past couple of years, and fast-acting rust disease seems ready to move into the U.S. from South America — the country’s pesticide manufacturers are offering some new alternatives on top of proven performers to guard the fields.

Here’s a rundown of some of the newest soybean protection products and strategies being offered for the coming growing season.

Syngenta Crop Protection

New in 2004 are two additions to the Touchdown family of glyphosate herbicides, Touchdown Total and Touchdown High Tech. Both are potassium salt glyphosate materials. Touchdown Total, with a typical use rate of 1 1/2 pints per acre, contains a proprietary surfactant formulation.

Touchdown High Tech contains the maximum concentration of potassium glyphosate available on the market. Its typical use rate is 1.2 pints per acre. It does not include adjuvants, “which gives you the flexibility to use whatever adjuvant systems you are comfortable with, and perhaps save you some money in the long run,” according to James Johnson, a spokesman for Syngenta.

Touchdown HighTech was recently approved by the Environmental Protection Agency and will be available this year.

“The potassium salt and the loading rate of these two new herbicides will give you an advantage. It’s certainly something for you to take a look at,” Johnson says.

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