Extension Connection

Seed Treatments
By Heather Benedict, Agronomist Specialist

This is Heather Benedict, Regional Agronomy Specialist.  I am based out of Bethany Mo.  I serve Worth, Gentry, Harrison, Mercer, Grundy, Daviess, Caldwell and Livingston Counties.  I will be bringing you today’s program.           

I would like to take the opportunity to talk about seed treatments.  There are two basic reasons for using seed treatments, fungus and insect pressure to fields.  Generally there is more concern with soil insect pests on corn and soybeans than on small grains and forages.  Therefore, the seed treatments I will be talking about are for corn and soybeans.

            Cool, wet soils and slow growing conditions result in greater risk to seedlings from soil-borne pathogens and insects.  Research shows that no-till fields have the greatest pest risk to the plants in the seedling stage.  No-till fields should be monitored closely for pests when the plants are in the seedling stage because the residue on the fields can harbor the pathogens and insects.

Entomologists have stated that seed treatments can help reduce damage to seedling plants from pests such as wireworms, seed corn maggots and white grubs.  In fields where a soil-applied insecticide is not used, especially first year corn fields, use of seed treatment insecticide is strongly recommended.  There has been more concern recently about white grubs.  If the field has a history of white grubs, a much higher rate of seed treatment, (as high as 1250 compared to 250) is preferable. 

In early planted soybeans, seed treatment fungicides can be effective in preventing or reducing damage from pathogens that cause seed decay, seedling blights and root rots.  If there is concern about or a field history of fungal seed diseases such as Phytophthora root rot or Pythium, a seed treatment fungicide is recommended.  Please note that these fungicides have not proven to be useful in improving germination of the seeds, but they will protect against further stand loss.

           More information and the research on the practices I have discussed as well as on many more subjects can be found in your local extension office.  So if you would like further information on this or any other topic contact your local University of Missouri Extension office.  University of Missouri and Extension programs are open to all.  Thank you for your time.

(Written April 24 , 2009)

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Extension Connection Barb Ubben, Web Manager harrisonco@missouri.edu Last revised: 05/25/04