As planting season begins across the country, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) reminds farmers to follow the basic steps for stewardship of treated seed.
“Seed treatments provide farmers with an effective and economical way to protect their crops against damaging pests and diseases,” says ASTA Vice President, Government and Regulatory Affairs Jane DeMarchi. “Using treated seeds helps with more uniform stands, healthier plants and higher crop yields. It’s important to always remember to follow directions on seed container labeling for proper handling, storage, planting and disposal practices to minimize risk to applicators, wildlife and the environment.”
The basic stewardship steps of treated seed:
► Follow directions on seed container labeling
► Eliminate weeds in the field prior to planting
► Minimize dust by using advanced seed flow lubricants
► “BeeAware” of honey bees and hives located near the field
► Ensure that any spilled seeds are removed or covered by soil to protect wildlife and the environment
► Remove all treated seed left in containers and equipment.
Seed treatments undergo rigorous testing and review by the EPA prior to being permitted to be used commercially. The industry is constantly evolving to improve seed treatment processes such as enhancing seed coating polymers and application processes to keep active ingredients on the seed and reduce dust-off; developing new flow agents for use with planting equipment to further minimize the amount of dust-off during planting; and implementing an ISO planting equipment standard to better control dust emissions.
Founded in 1883, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) represents over 700 companies involved in seed production, plant breeding and related industries in North America. [divider]
New Disease Control Tool
Corteva Agriscience, Agriculture Division of DowDuPont, announced it has received federal approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the use of Aproach Prima fungicide in peanuts in all states except California.
With two modes of action, Aproach Prima offers peanut growers improved disease management, resulting in better crop quality and greater yield potential. Aproach Prima is also currently labeled in corn, soybeans and wheat, providing growers with increased crop flexibility.
“Planting decisions are always changing based on weather, market conditions and crop rotations,” said Nick Dame, U.S. Product Manager Fungicides, Corteva Agriscience. “The addition of peanuts to the Aproach Prima label will allow southern growers the flexibility to purchase one product that can be used across a variety of southern crops.”
“Aproach Prima has proven performance as an excellent fungicide in corn and soybeans,” said Dame.
By expanding the crops protected by Aproach Prima, growers will now also have an effective option managing early leaf spot (Cercospora arachidicola), late leaf spot (Cercosporidium personatum), rust (Puccinia arachidis) and web blotch (Phoma arachidicola) in peanuts.
Peanut growers can now rely on Aproach Prima fungicide to protect their crop from diseases.
More information can be found at www.corteva.com.
