Systemic Insecticide Seed Treatments Will it be standard

Systemic Insecticide Seed Treatments Will it be standard in variety testing? Overview Wheat, Soybean, Corn Bill Bruening * Don Dombek * Fred Allen

Safety and handling • Toxic as hell? No. • Handling similar to fungicide trt seed

Toxicity Issues Acceleron Clothianidin 2000/4000 From: 2009 UK Soybean Variety Test Report

Safety and Handling Procedures

Safety and handling • Dust respirator? • In variety testing – primary exposure from dust packaging seed; planting seed. • Acute toxicity not likely in our field. • Chronic toxicity is risk from breathing dust over time.

Kentucky Wheat Variety Tests • Seed treatment with fungicides is recommended, however treatment with systemic insecticides (i. e. Gaucho, Cruiser, etc. ) is prohibited. • Goal is to evaluate varieties genetic performance – on a level playing field. • ~ 10% wheat sold in KY has Sys Insecticide Trt. • It’s a cost issue vs. scout & spray. • Crop consultants opposed–job security–not promoted. • Issue – not being able to return trt seed. • Some growers avoid high cost seed due to unpredictable yields (Freeze/Scab).

Kentucky Wheat Variety Tests My experience with seed companies & IST’s. • The corporate mistrust issue. • Regulation: Do I test for presence of compound? • Trust and violation of federal law.

Federal Seed Act - Labeling of treated seed

Kentucky Wheat Variety Tests Another issue for companies. • If a company’s variety is sold with standard IST, is it unfair to them, to test their seed without the Trt? – results do not represent the potential of the “product”. • Fair competition issue - keeping playing field level? • 1 X recommended treatment rate or 10 X, how do I maintain a fair playing field?

Rate Issue: Treat at rate according to the label’s recommended rate or 10 X…?

Re: Rate - Does this label apply to variety tests? Experimental exemption?

Entomologist’s view • Standard treatment w/ systemics is dangerous. • Shotgun approach to insect control = resistance • Putting so much out in the environment could “blow up” & have a DDT like scenario. Closing • Based on survey, most wheat variety test programs do not allow this treatment. • I’m undecided as to if/when I will change my policy.