Seed Treatments for Early Insect Control

Seed treatments have provided effective early control of insect pests and reduced the spread of viral infection in wheat and canola during 2014. A number of seed treatments offer control of insect pests, from emergence through to the early growth stages, when seedlings are particularly vulnerable. Insecticide seed treatments form an important part of an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy, as they are active as soon as the crop is sown and reduce the need for blanket broad spectrum insecticide sprays. It is important though to determine the likely occurrence and economic impact of the insect being targeted, prior to choosing a seed treatment, as the cost of the treatment can be significant.

There are a range of seed treatment options on the market and some of these contain only insecticide, while others contain both an insecticide and a fungicide.

Following are some details on the main products. Estimated costs are based on sowing rates of 2.5 kg/ha for canola or 60 kg/ha for wheat.

Emerge / Gaucho

600g/L Imidacloprid

Controls:         

Red Legged Earth Mite, Blue Oat Mite, aphids (reducing spread of viruses) Provides up to 10 weeks control of aphids

Application Rate:

Canola              400 ml / 100 kg seed     $0.35 / ha

Cereals             2.4 L / tonne seed         $4.50 / ha

Hombre Ultra

360g/L Imidacloprid + 12.5g/L Tebuconazole

Controls:         

Aphids (reducing spread of viruses), smuts and bunt in cereals

Provides 6 weeks aphid control

Application Rate:

Cereals             2.0 L / tonne seed         $5.22 / ha

Cruiser Opti

210g/L Thiamethoxam + 37.5g/L Lambda-cyhalothrin

Controls:         

Aphids (reducing spread of viruses)

Suppression:     

Lucerne Flea, Red Legged Earth Mite

Application Rate:

Canola              500 ml / 100 kg seed     $0.63 / ha

Cereals             3.3 L / tonne seed         $9.90 / ha

Poncho Plus

240g/L Imidacloprid + 360g/L Clothinanidin

Controls:         

Aphids, Red Legged Earth Mite, Blue Oat Mite, Wireworm, Cutworm

Suppression:

Lucerne Flea

This product is undergoing registration with APVMA. If registered it will only be available on request via seed merchants. Pricing is currently unconfirmed.

Zorro

180g/L Imidacloprid + 56g/L Triadimenol

Controls:         

Aphids (reducing spread of viruses), smuts and bunt in cereals

Application Rate:

Cereals             4.0 L / tonne seed         $5.78 / ha

For situations where a fungicide is required in addition to insect control, there are a number of options that can be used in conjunction with Emerge or Gaucho.

Premis Pro C

25g/L Triticonazole + 4g/L Cypermethrin

Controls:          Smuts and bunt

Application Rate:

Cereals             1.0 L / tonne seed         $1.93 / ha

Rancona C

20g/L Ipconazole + 4g/L Cypermethrin

Controls:         

Smuts and bunt

Application Rate:

Cereals             1.0 L / tonne seed         $1.97 / ha

Jockey Stayer

167g/L Fluquinconazole

Controls:         

Take-All, Smuts and bunt in wheat.

Suppression of blackleg in canola

Application Rate:

Canola              2.0 L / 100 kg seed       $2.40 / ha

Cereals             4.5 L / tonne seed         $12.96 / ha

Intake Highload

500g/L Flutriafol

Controls:         

Stripe Rust, Septoria and Take-All in wheat. Powdery Mildew, Scald and suppression of Net Form Net Blotch in barley. Blackleg in canola.

Application Rate:

Applied to the fertiliser to achieve the following rate:

Canola              200ml/ha                      $4.00 / ha

Cereals             400 ml/ha                     $8.00 / ha

Based on the prices and active ingredient loadings quoted above, the best bet option is a higher loading insecticide product such as Emerge or Gaucho, in addition to a standalone fungicide product such as Rancona C for wheat or barley, or Intake Highload for canola. These combinations provide the highest application rate of active ingredient at the lowest unit cost. Where Wireworm or Cutworm are a problem, Poncho Plus will be a useful product.