Words: Syngenta Crop Protection New Zealand
A second year of independent trials has reinforced confidence in Durivo as a seedling tray drench, confirming long-lasting aphid control and demonstrating strong activity against a range of other key vegetable pests.
The latest work has shown season-long aphid suppression in cabbage and lettuce, while also confirming valuable control of diamondback moth, thrips and whitefly, helping growers protect crops during the critical establishment phase and beyond.
Early in 2026, follow-up trials were conducted in Pukekohe at the Vegetable Industry Centre of Excellence (VICE) to build on findings from the previous season.
The trials were designed to confirm the length of aphid control in cabbage and lettuce following Durivo application as a seedling tray drench, while also gathering information on the product's performance against other important pests present during the season.
All seedlings were treated by Eurofins Kalyx in Pukekohe, with trials conducted at VICE.
The 2026 results confirmed that all Durivo treatments effectively controlled aphids through to the final assessment date in both cabbage and lettuce crops.
Syngenta development trials also demonstrated full-season control of aphids when Durivo was applied in line with label recommendations. The 2026 trials provide growers with confidence that crops are still being protected from one of the most damaging sucking pests for an extended period.
The trials also provided additional information on diamondback moth control in cabbage.
The duration of control varied between assessments but was determined to be between five and eight weeks, aligning well with the current four to six-week control expectation and further reinforcing the value of Durivo during crop establishment.
Thrips control was also observed, with control lasting for three to four weeks in cabbage and up to eight weeks in lettuce, which was the final assessment point.
Greenhouse whitefly, which was not present during the 2025 trial, was effectively controlled in lettuce for up to eight weeks, providing further evidence of the broad-spectrum activity delivered by Durivo.
In addition to pest control benefits, plants treated with Durivo were consistently bigger and healthier than untreated plants, supporting observations from previous trials that treated crops gain an early vigour advantage during establishment.
The findings build on the 2025 trial, which demonstrated effective control of diamondback moth and aphids during the first month after planting, along with improved plant vigour.
With a second season of results now available, growers can have even greater confidence in the consistency and reliability of Durivo as part of an integrated pest management programme.
Durivo (Group 4A, Group 28) is a broad spectrum, systemic insecticide for the control of key insect pests in leafy vegetables, brassica leafy vegetables and vegetable brassica crops.
Applied as a seedling tray drench prior to transplanting, Durivo is readily taken up by the roots of the transplants and rapidly translocated throughout the plant, to give lasting protection and an ‘energy boost’ right from the start.
Best use recommendations
Apply to leafy vegetables and leafy brassicas at 15 ml/1000 seedlings, and vegetable brassicas require a rate of 25 ml/1000 seedlings.
Use correctly calibrated equipment to apply as a seedling tray drench and ensure Durivo is washed into the root ball.
If seedlings require watering following the Durivo application, take care to avoid leaching the product from cells which reduce the duration of control.
For resistance management against DBM, do not follow a Durivo application with another Group 28 product on that crop.