1. Seed Treatments on Corn Hybrids Tested in OVT’s Fred Allen, Professor Department of Plant Sciences University of Tennessee SCC-33 Meeting January 26-29, 2010 St. Pete Beach, FL

2. OUTLINE 1. GENERAL INFO 2. FUNGICIDE AND INSECTICIDE SEED TREATMENTS 3. TN YIELD DATA ON CORN IST’s 4. SUMMARY 5. TN’S CURRENT POLICY ON SEED TREATMENTS IN OVT

3. GOAL IN VARIETY TESTING: Historically -- Obtain UNBIASED data on genetic differences among varieties How?? Control extraneous variation in order to create a “level playing field” so that all varieties in the test have equal opportunity to express their full genetic yield potential. Via Randomization, replication, blocking on field variation, equal seeding rates, weed control, etc. Now & in the future, testing the package of: Genetics + biotech traits + seed treatments A potential bias may arise when seed of varieties are treated with different chemicals!

4. Corn Seed Trt. Fungicides: Allegiance (Metalaxyl) Apron XL (Mefenoxam) Maxim (Fludioxonil) Dynasty (Azoxystrobin) Trilex (Trifloxystrobin) Examples of Combinations: Dynasty CST = Apron XL + Dynasty + Maxim Trilex Advanced = Trilex + Baytan + Allegiance SEED TREATMENTS FOR CORN Corn Seed Trt. Insecticides: Poncho (Clothianidin) 250, 500, 1250 Gaucho, Axcess (Imidacloprid) 600 Cruiser (Thiamethoxam) 250, 500 $ per Acre (?): Fungicide ~ $2 – 4; Insecticide ~ $6 – 12 3 fungicides + insecticide seed trt. = $12 - 24 Corn: fungicide(s)+ insecticide = standard Fungicides & Insecticides applied to seed last about 14-30 DAP. Examples of Combinations of Fungicides + Insecticides applied to corn seed: Acceleron = 3 fungicides + insecticide Avicta Complete (Cotton) = 3 fungicides + insecticide + nematicide

5. COMPANIES WANT TO PROTECT THEIR INVESTMENT IN BIOTECH TRAITS

6. CORN FUNGICIDE SEED TREATMENTS’ PRIMARY DISEASE TARGETS: seed rot and seedling diseases Pythium – Mefenoxam, Metalaxyl ( e.g.,Apron XL, Allegiance) Rhizoctonia, Fusarium, Penicillium, others – Fludioxanil, Azoxystrobin, Triadimenol (e.g., Maxim, Captan, Dynasty, Baytan, Protégé) Combinations of fungicides to get broader spectrum control Source: Iowa St. Univ.

7. CORN INSECTICIDE SEED TREATMENTS: Poncho, Cruiser, Gaucho EXAMPLES OF TARGET INSECTS: Wireworms Click beetle Photos: U. of Wis., IA St. & Univ. of Ark. Cutworms Seed Corn Maggots Root Worms

8. IST, 8 CORN HYBRIDS, TN DATA, 2003

9. IST, 14 CORN HYBRIDS, TN DATA, 2004

10. SUMMARY CORN: fungicide + insecticide seed treatment is standard. It takes approx. 2-3 extra bu/a @ $3.50/bu to pay for the treatments. TN data indicates that IST added and average of about 6 bu/a; therefore there likely is a return on investment for producers. 1.The response to INSECTICIDE SEED TREATMENT (IST) varied among hybrids, among locations, and among years. 2.The highest responses to IST generally occurred in higher yield environments. 3.In general the ISTs will provide a positive economic return in corn.

11. Variety Testing Program Seed Treatment Requirements CORN: Must be treated with a fungicide and an insecticide (started in 2005). SOYBEAN: Must be treated with a fungicide and an insecticide (started in CST in 2009; start in REC’s in 2010). WHEAT & GRAIN SORGHUM: Must be treated with a fungicide but not with an insecticide. Allen’s (current) philosophy for future testing: Test varieties as they will be sold to the farmers.