Greensboro, North Carolina
July 22, 2008
Source: Seeds of Progress -
Syngenta Seed Care's newsletter
Innovative seed treatment products
can help growers win the war against destructive early-season
pests for the greatest potential return at the end of the
season. As seed technology continues to evolve, growers can’t
afford to limit the genetic yield potential of their high-value
seed. Many growers are protecting their seed investment with an
insecticide, fungicide and/or nematicide seed treatment that can
offer faster emergence, better stands, more vigorous plants and
higher yield potential.
Fungicide and insecticide seed treatments can help prevent the
spread of plant diseases, and keep chewing and sucking insects
that vector these diseases at bay. A seed treatment nematicide
can protect crops against nematode feeding that could cause a
loss of yield. In addition to protection against damaging pests,
a seed treatment also offers growers added convenience, ease of
handling, increased vigor and root mass, earlier canopy closure,
lower use rates, higher yield potential and proven protection
from day one.
Unpredictable weather and changing production practices
reinforce seed treatment benefits
The use of seed-applied insecticides and fungicides has
skyrocketed in recent years due to the need to manage the risk
of variable weather and insect patterns, as well as changing
production practices and earlier planting dates. Extreme
variations in recent weather patterns have kept growers on their
toes. In certain regions of the United States, growers have
experienced some of the warmest years on record. This has had an
effect on the over-wintering of insects that flourish in warm
weather, such as aphids, wireworms, grubs and maggots, and has
resulted in increased insect feeding, plant damage and the
vectoring of diseases. Other regions have endured record
rainfall and flooding, making it an ideal environment for
diseases to flourish. Diseases like Pythium, Rhizoctonia,
Fusarium and Phytophthora can cause seed decay and damping-off,
which can result in seedling death. Weather patterns that change
from one season to the next make it hard to predict what the
future may bring, but by applying a seed treatment, growers can
rest assured their crop is protected no matter what Mother
Nature decides to send their way.
Earlier planting dates have growers planting into cool, wet
soils. While the trend to plant earlier may help increase yield
potential, the cool and wet soil conditions also expose
seedlings to early-season insect and disease damage for longer
amounts of time. These conditions create a favorable environment
for early-season insects and disease but a deadly combination
for young, vulnerable seedlings. To protect crops against these
yield-limiting factors, growers have turned to seed treatments
to protect their seed and seedlings from destructive pests that
can limit plant health and yields. Under these conditions, a
seed treatment applied prior to planting helps protect the seed
the moment it is placed in the ground, helping improve
germination and emergence for a strong, healthy crop.
As seed technology continues to advance and weather patterns
change, growers need to be proactive in their fight to protect
their investment and maximize yield potential by protecting
every seed with a seed treatment. Widespread acceptance of seed
treatments across crop areas has led to unprecedented growth in
the seed treatment market. Because of their convenience,
performance and value, seed treatments will continue to be an
excellent choice for growers who are keeping a close eye on
their bottom line. Growers can count on the
Syngenta Seed Care™ portfolio for proven brands that will
help ensure a successful season, year after year.
Syngenta Seed Care™ is a trademark of a Syngenta Group
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