Seed companies expected to offer two rates of new broad
spectrum insecticide to corn producers
Officials of Gustafson LLC
today announced EPA registration of Poncho™ 600 seed-applied
insecticide for corn. The new insecticide will be marketed to
corn growers by participating seed companies under the names of
Poncho 250 and Poncho 1250 to indicate different application
rates and protection levels. Many seed companies are expected to
offer corn hybrids protected with Poncho 250 and Poncho 1250 for
planting in 2004.
"More than 100 seed companies were involved with us in
introducing Gaucho® seed-applied insecticide to corn growers
three years ago," says Paul Holliday, Gustafson corn products
manager. "With Gaucho, many producers learned the value and
benefits of this technology. Gaucho performance was excellent.
But with Poncho 250 and Poncho 1250, we’re talking about new
chemistry and entirely new levels of protection."
Poncho 250 Delivers Important Early Season Protection
"We expect Poncho 250 to garner a huge amount of attention
and excitement wherever corn is grown in the United States,"
Holliday says. "Poncho 250 provides the early season seed and
seedling protection needed on almost every corn acre grown in
this country. It protects the crop against early season damage
and stand loss caused by cutworms, wireworms, seed corn maggots,
white grubs, chinch bugs, flea beetles and numerous other pests.
Poncho 250 should be used on every acre of corn except where
Poncho 1250 is used.
In 471 head-to-head tests comparing the performance of seed
protected with Poncho 250 insecticide with seed receiving no
insecticide protection, the crop protected with Poncho 250
produced an average 8.4 bushels per acre more yield. These
trials, Holliday notes, were conducted by independent
researchers and seed companies during the past three years. In
most cases, the tests were conducted on ground having no known
insect problem.
"Based upon our current pricing expectations for Poncho 250,
this sort of yield advantage would indicate a $3 to $4 return
for each $1 invested," Holliday says. "This level of return
tends to quickly capture the attention of most corn producers."
Poncho 1250 For Unmatched Long-Term Protection
"Poncho 1250 is especially for the corn producer dealing with
corn rootworms or billbugs," Holliday says.
"We also expect it to be the first choice of producers
needing extra protection from a ‘secondary’ pest that has become
a major problem."
Poncho 1250 delivers rootworm control comparable to
traditional soil-applied insecticides. In addition, Poncho 1250
provides protection against cutworm, wireworm, white grub,
chinch bug and flea beetle equal to or superior to any
soil-applied insecticide.
In head-to-head research comparisons with seed receiving no
insecticide protection, corn yields from seed protected with
Poncho 1250 averaged 12.6 bushels per acre more than untreated
seed in 471 comparisons conducted over the past three years. As
with Poncho 250, the Poncho 1250 trials were conducted by
independent researchers and seed companies largely on ground not
known to have an insect problem.
Both Poncho 1250 and Poncho 250 provide protection against a
host of insects for which most of the soil-applied insecticides
carry no label claim of protection, Holliday notes.
Ideal Fit With Biotech Rootworm Corn Or Excellent
Alternative
Poncho 250 and Poncho 1250 have an ideal fit with the new
biotech rootworm hybrids, Holliday adds. "The rootworm resistant
hybrids help protect against rootworm damage but don’t provide
the protection against other yield-robbing insects that Poncho
250 delivers," he explains. "So Poncho 250 used in combination
with a rootworm resistant hybrid will provide an outstanding
insect control package. "Poncho 1250 is the ideal choice for the
refuge acres required when planting a rootworm resistant hybrid.
It’s also the premier alternative for use on hybrids not
carrying the rootworm resistance gene. Poncho 1250 provides
excellent rootworm control plus broad-spectrum protection
against many other insect pests.
"Now, with Poncho 1250 alone, or with a biotech rootworm
hybrid teamed with Poncho 250, there’s no need to calibrate
insecticide applicators or return containers," Holliday notes.
"Now, with either choice, time previously required for loading
insecticide hoppers can be spent planting, completing other
chores or even with the family. Poncho 250 and Poncho 1250 have
outstanding safety features. Both are easy to use and highly
effective. And with either choice, the protection is delivered
to the farm, on the seed, in the bag."
Seed, User and Environment Safety Features Big Plus As
Well
Research results show that Poncho insecticide has excellent
seed safety, environmental safety and user safety
characteristics.
"Our seed safety research shows that Poncho insecticide is
easy on the seed," Holliday says. "It’s easy on the environment,
too, with water solubility, soil adsorption and lipophilicity
(attraction to plant oils or fats) nearly ideal for maximum
uptake by the plant and minimal water contamination risk. In
addition, research results have shown that Poncho has
outstanding user-safety features."
No special protective clothing is required when handling seed
protected with either Poncho 1250 or Poncho 250. Only the safety
equipment normally recommended for use when handling any seed
corn is advised. No special package disposal effort is required,
either. Normal seed bag disposal procedures also may be used.
Because approval did not occur before most corn acres were
planted, the number of locations where corn producers might
observe comparisons between hybrids protected with Poncho 250 or
Poncho 1250 and untreated seed will be limited. However,
numerous universities and seed companies were able to plant
research plots and will very probably include these on tours
this summer. Holliday suggests that corn producers talk with
their seed suppliers for more information.
