|
|
|
Producers look for yield increases from fungicides and seed treatmentsBy Doug Rich The emphasis in crop production is changing from crop protection to crop enhancement. At the 2008 Commodity Classic in Nashville, Tenn., all of the major companies were touting the yield enhancing benefits of their products, specifically fungicides and seed treatments. Talking with corn, soybean, and wheat producers at the annual convention and trade show, it was clear they were looking for ways to get the most out of every seed they plant this spring and next fall. They want to tap into the genetic potential of the varieties they plant to maximize yields while the prices for their commodities are at all-time highs. Producers are willing to invest in the extras, like fungicides and seed treatments, to achieve the highest yields possible. Speaking at a symposium sponsored by BASF during Commodity Classic, Andy Lee said the current market for corn, soybeans, and wheat as well as domestic and foreign demand stressed the need to get the most out of every acre. Lee is the director of business operations, U.S. crop protection for BASF at Research Triangle Park in North Carolina. Also, as seed, particularly soybean seed, becomes more expensive producers are reducing planting rates. Plant health and vigor become even more important with fewer seeds planted. Craig Lindholm, marketing manager, seed treatments, U.S. crop protection at BASF, said their goal is to improve plant survival right out of the ground. "The key is improved stress tolerance, which lead to increased yield potential by giving seedlings a stronger start with improved plant vigor in those critical early days," Lindholm said. BASF research shows that young, healthy seedlings are the first step in maximizing yields. "Four years after our decision to invest in dedicated seed treatment research and development, we have received U.S. registration for a new seed treatment fungicide from our own portfolio of proprietary active ingredients," Dr. Dirk Voeste from BASF Crop Protection Headquarters in Germany, said. "Stamina fungicide is the first in a new generation of BASF seed treatment products that we will be launching globally over the next couple of years." "BASF is growing from four seed treatments today, which includes the new stamina fungicide seed treatment that was just registered this month to 11 seed treatment products by 2009," Craig Lindholm said. "BASF seed treatment products are showing key benefits for growers including faster emergence, excellent stands, and improved cold tolerance." Dr. Randy Myers, fungicide product manager for Bayer CropScience, said farmers are asking themselves, "What do I lose if I don't use a fungicide," rather than, "Will it pay for itself?" Producers want to know the benefits of spraying. Will their yields be higher? Will their risk of loss be reduced? Will their increased costs be covered? Dr. Myers said fungicides could help wheat producers with head and leaf diseases such as rusts, powdery mildew, tan spot, septoria leaf spot, glume blotch, and fusarium head blight. In tests comparing untreated fields to fields treated with 10 fluid ounces per acre of Stratego yields increased nearly 10 bushels per acre. Bayer has experimented with an early application of fungicide tank mixed with herbicides. The early application is followed by a full rate application at heading. Tests at North Dakota State University showed consistent yield increases with the early application of a half rate of fungicide tank mixed with a herbicide. Dr. Myers said they have seen a greening effect with plants treated with a fungicide. Myers said Stratego provides excellent disease protection and dark, green, healthy leaves. The greening effect is related to reduced ethylene syntheses or a delayed maturation signal. Plant vigor was improved even under stress conditions. Another interesting yield benefit of fungicides, besides disease protection, is better use of nighttime moisture. "Use of strobilurin fungicides can lead to healthier plants beyond simple disease control, which can translate into higher yields," Myers said. It is not all positive, however. Delayed drying, increased risk of mycotoxins in cereals, susceptibility to resistance development in pathogens, and limited curative activity are all concerns with Stobilurin fungicides. Jamie Eichorn, fungicide brand manager with Syngenta Crop Protection, outlined the benefits of their products during a news conference during Commodity Classic. Yield increases with Quilt on corn range from 12 to 15 bushels per acre. Quilt can be used on wheat also and yield increase range from 5 to 10 bushels per acre. Syngenta also markets a fungicide called Quadros which has broad-spectrum disease control. Keeping with the theme of increasing yields, Syngenta has entered into an agreement with Agro Fresh to market a new product called Invinsa. According to Syngenta Invinsa technology, a sprayable formulation of 1-methaylcyclopropene, will be the first ever product introduced into field crop markets to specifically protect crop yield during extended periods of high temperature, mid-to-moderate drought, and other crop stresses. Eichorn said this product is not quite ready yet. Their goal is to commercialize this product within two years. Both companies will contribute research and development resources, while Syngenta will market Invinsa crop stress protection worldwide. The alliance will focus on major field crops including corn, soybeans, cotton, wheat, sunflowers, rice and canola. Eichorn said that in 2007, 10 percent of the 200 million acres planted to corn, soybeans and wheat in the U.S. were treated with a fungicide. That was up from 2006 and Eichorn expects that figure to be up again this year. Doug Rich can be reached by phone at 785-749-5304 or by e-mail at richhpj@aol.com. 3/24/08 Date: 3/19/08 Advertisement
Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2009. High Plains Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com |
Market Snapshot Inside Futures |
