Syngenta announced Thursday that it has acquired Georgia-based Circle One Global, Inc., to add the antitoxin crop protection product Afla-Guard, which is aimed at reducing aflatoxin, a toxin that can develop in crops such as corn and peanuts, particularly during heat and drought stress.  "The acquisition of this technology adds an important biological crop protection technology to the Syngenta portfolio, further complementing our modern crop protection portfolio," said Valdemar Fischer, president of Syngenta Crop Protection, North America. "Food security and quality are high on the agenda of the food chain and consumers. This new, sustainable technology can dramatically increase usable yield, protect growers' investments in crop production, and may allow for the re-introduction of corn to parts of the southern U.S. where aflatoxin has prevented its cultivation for many years."  Originally developed by the USDA Agricultural Research Service, the Afla-Guard technology was licensed exclusively to Circle One Global in 2002.  Currently registered for use on corn and peanuts in the U.S., Syngenta plans to apply for extension of the registration line to other crops and expand production to meet the anticipated demand.  Aflatoxin contamination costs U.S. corn and peanut farmers more than $200 million annually.Afla-Guard is the first registered microbial antifungal crop protection product that has been effective in reducing the levels of aflatoxin in these crops.   Using a granule carrier to deploy a naturally-occurring, non-toxic fungus, Afla -Guard reduces the development of the fungi that produce aflatoxin in grains, nuts and oil seeds through competition.  The spores grow and colonize the field, allowing for efficient growth of the crop.   For more information, please visit www.afla-guard.com.