Rust does not give you a second chance. By the time you see it on a leaf, the damage is already done. With rust pressure a constant threat across New Zealand wheat growing regions, prevent the wheat yield penalty by staying ahead of rust. This means getting your fungicide programme right from the start.
Extending Green Leaf Area (GLA), particularly on the flag leaf, is where wheat yields are won or lost. Research shows extending GLA adds up to 150 kg/ha per day during grain fill, making this preventative timing non-negotiable.
"Rust builds up fast once conditions favour infection. If you wait until you spot it, you are already behind. ELATUS® Plus fungicide gives an extended window of protection in wheat crops,” says Syngenta Territory Sales Manager in Canterbury, Ross McCallum.
Containing SOLATENOL®, it delivers powerful, long-lasting control of leaf rust, stripe rust, and Septoria spp in wheat. By binding strongly to the leaf surface for rainfast protection, ELATUS Plus targets the pathogen at the early stages of infection to shut down fungal growth and development. Whole leaf protection is provided via translaminar and xylem-systemic distribution.
"The rainfast binding and molecular stability of SOLATENOL are what sets ELATUS Plus apart. You get a product that stays on the plant and keeps working on rust and Septoria, delivering reliable protections after application," says Ross.
In over 25 replicated field trials conducted by Syngenta across six seasons of New Zealand development work, ELATUS Plus delivered consistent yield improvements. In high pressure seasons, more than 80 percent of GLA was often retained for up to 10 weeks after application.
For resistance management, apply at 750 mL/ha with a triazole mixing partner at T1 and T2. AMISTAR® AI nozzles improve lowerleaf penetration and administers even coverage. The Withholding Period (WHP) is 28 days for silage and 42 days for grain, with a maximum of two SDHI applications made per season.
Registered for stem and crown rust in ryegrass seed crops, where rust can cut yields by 20 to 40 percent. It is also safe on sensitive novel endophyte varieties, apply alone or in mixture at GS59 and GS65, with a 14-day WHP before cutting.
"Do not overlook ryegrass seed crops. Rust can hit them hard and the yield response to a good programme is significant. ELATUS Plus fits perfectly and the endophyte safety gives growers real peace of mind,” says Ross.
Combine applications with AMISTAR® fungicide for a preventative programme in wheat and ryegrass seed crops. “Rust moves fast, so a well-timed, preventative programme with ELATUS Plus is how you stay ahead of it,” Ross explains.
©Syngenta 2026. ELATUS© Plus, SOLATENOL© and AMISTAR® are registered trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. Registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997, No. P009276 & P004840. Always read the registered label before use.
