Bayer's initiative to combat leafhopper warns of increased incidence in Brazil

Some Brazilian regions are on the alert with the gradual increase in the incidence of leafhoppers in corn, a survey carried out by the Esquadrão de Combate à Leafhopper, an initiative promoted by Bayer in partnership with agtech SIMA, pointed out.

In May, the pest was found in 97% of the more than 2016 traps installed in the country, a considerable increase compared to the 90% registered in April and the 86% in March.

This data reinforces the importance of continuous care in relation to integrated pest management (IPM), according to Marcelo Giacometti, Field marketing manager at Bayer. "With the monitoring information in hand, our customers realize the importance of using data to calibrate their management strategy for this important pest. The corn crop has a very short period to define the productive potential, and being attentive to details makes the difference on the crop results. We want to draw the attention of all producers to conduct the monitoring, as the spittlebug is present in all summer and off-season corn planting regions, with the potential to cause significant impacts to the productive potential, if not preventive measures have been taken," the executive said.

The corn leafhopper is responsible for transmitting one of the most harmful diseases for the crop in the country, the stunting complex, capable of reducing crop productivity by more than 70%, according to Embrapa. The insect is a prominent risk in the field, so initiatives such as the Esquadrão de Combate à Cigarrinha are very important allies against the pest, according to agronomist specialist in maize cultivation at Bayer, Paulo Garollo.

"In addition to monitoring, to obtain a good result and guarantee the profitability of the crop, it is necessary to apply practices that involve integrated pest management (MIP) and adopt chemical control measures according to the stage of the plant," Garollo said. "Management of leafhopper nymphs, for example, is perhaps one of the main bottlenecks for success in eradicating this pest. It is an explosion in insect infestation in the areas."

A good example of this explosion of infestation can be seen in Mato Grosso do Sul, where the pest was found in 81% of the traps in April, but in May this number jumped to 95%. In general, all states monitored have high levels of sharpshooter presence. "The initiative is the key to preventing the damage caused by the insect. Our focus is to help the producer to make more assertive management decisions and minimize this problem that is significantly impacting corn profitability," said the Business Executive Director of Bayer corn, Rodrigo Nuernberg.

In the accumulated harvest, from February to May, more than 89% of the traps developed by Bayer registered the presence of the pest.

New traps

In the coming months, the Esquadrão de Combate à Cigarrinha should start the first tests with autonomous traps, which will reduce the need for visits to collect information and facilitate the data transmission in real time.

"That is, it will be easier to know the number of individuals that grow in a given period with a shorter inspection window. It will be possible to notice some population overflow, for example. This will bring a very important degree of quality and consistency. We hope these new traps are already available from the next harvest," Nuernberg said.    

Bayer solutions for leafhopper control

Bayer's specialist in the matter, Paulo Garollo, explains that the control of the corn leafhopper must start with the choice of the corn hybrid to be cultivated. Suppose the region usually has problems with leafhoppers, it is worth opting for inputs with some degree of tolerance to the stunting complex — Bayer offers hybrids with the new VTPRO4 biotechnology adapted for all regions, which also have good productive potential, stability and diverse cycle.

In terms of handling leafhoppers, the ideal is for the producer to start treating corn seeds with Cropstar^®, a systemic insecticide from the chemical group of neonicotinoids (Imidacloprid) and thiodicarb, from the chemical group Methyl-carbamate, bringing a broad spectrum of control and initial protection for crops.

Then, after the corn emerges and opens the first two leaves, it is time to apply Curbix^®, an essential contact product from the chemical group of phenylpyrazole (Etiprole), which will be used to combat bedbugs and leafhopper adults. It must also have a second application, with an interval of at least seven days from the first application after the two initial leaves are expanded (stage V2).

When the corn reaches the V4 stage, the producer can start applying Connect^®, a systemic insecticide from the chemical group of neonicotinoids associated with beta-cyfulthrin belonging to the chemical group of Pyrethroids (contact), with the main function of translaminar translocation which affects nymphs. But this product also helps to control adult insects if they come into direct contact or by ingestion. Connect^® will still help the producer in a second application, with an interval of at least seven days, in the V6 stadium. And it must also re-enter the V8 stage, completing three applications with the product. All this information, recommendations for use and care needed in the application must be consulted in the leaflet and in the prescription.