The Coles Notes on Soybean Seed Treatments

By Kent Wolfe, CCA-ON, 4R NMS
Crop Sales Specialist
AGRIS Co-operative - Dutton

You often hear us talk about the importance of planning and how it needs to be done on a field-by-field basis. The same holds true for successfully choosing the right seed options.

The first and most important decision that Connor discussed in the last CSTW (Crop Solutions That Work) article is still the variety choice - you have to start with the right variety for the field it is being planted into but treatment options or combinations of them can definitely compliment your yield potential with the variety.

I am offering the Coles Notes version of the four main seed-applied groups of products that are available to us and their main role to maximize your soybean yields.

Seed Treatments

Fungicide

Fungicide seed treatments are the basic treatment; the primary role of this treatment is to manage two different types of pathogens, seed born fungal pathogens like Phomopsis seed decay fungus and soil born pathogens like Pythium, Fusarium, Phytophthora and Rhizoctonia. We have two different offerings here depending on which seed partner you are getting your seed from. Vibrance Maxx is a combination of metalaxyl-m (Group 4) sedaxane (Group 7) and fludioxonil (Group 12) fungicide products. Acceleron Basic is a combination of Prothiconazole (Group 3) Metalaxyl-m (Group 4) and penflufen (Group 7).

NEW for 2022 is Vayantis IV it offer the same three actives that are in Vibrance Maxx with the addition of picarbtrazox which provides enhanced Pythium and Phytophthora protection.

Insecticide

Insecticide seed treatments are another option that will provide early season protection against wireworm, seed corn maggot, bean leaf beetle, aphids, white grubs and leafhoppers.

Fortenza is a non class 12 (Cyantraniliprole) insecticide which is the main product available for seed that comes into the branch treated from the processor.

The other option that used to be the standard insecticide product a few years ago is CruiserMaxx a class 12 neonicotinoid (Thiamethoxam). This treatment option is only available at some of our bulk treatment sites and requires that a pest assessment has been completed for the field being planted with the treated seed and that you have taken the IPM course in the last 5 years.

The radar chart below allows us to compare the features of Fortenza vs Cruiser. The further away the points are from the center the more effective the products are. You can observe that the products are comparable until we look at cutworm and we see that Fortenza is better on cutworm.

Inoculants are another treatment option that benefits the soybean plant with improved nodule formation, increased nitrogen fixation and enhanced nutrient availability to support early root and shoot growth. Optimize ST is a specially selected Bradyrhizobium janonicum inoculant and LCO (lipochitooligosaccharide) technology that is viable on the seed for up to 220 days.

Nematode (SCN) and Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) Treatments

Nematode (SCN) and Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) treatments are becoming increasing popular as we see more damage and yield loss each year throughout our trade area from them. Here we have a couple of different options to pick from.

ILEVO with fluopyram (Group 7 SDHI fungicide) is a product that suppresses the effect of infection for both SDS and SCN and root lesion nematodes. This product is highly systemic and is absorbed by the emerging seedling and translocated into the cotyledons and unifoliate leaves. Because of this systemic activity you may see a typical discolouring in the outer margins of the cotyledons referred to as the "Halo Effect". This temporary injury has been proven that it does not result in yield losses.

Saltro with adepidyn also a (Group 7 SDHI fungicide) works in a similar way by suppressing the effect of early season infection but differs in that it does not show the early phytotoxicity or "Halo Effect" in the plant. Saltro is NOW registered for both SDS and SCN suppression.

These products are not stand-alone treatments and need to be used in combination with variety selection that has a SCN trait and tolerance to SDS.

These treatment options are simply just that.

These options can range from a single base fungicide treatment to multiple combinations of different products.

Some may have a fit and positive economic response potential; some could be just considered good insurance; while others may not be a fit on your farm at all.

Take the time to have the discussion and work thorough some scenarios on a field-by-field basis with your seed specialist at your local AGRIS Co-operative and chose the right mix for you.

Reference: Image source Syngenta.