Bayer CropScience brings innovations in seed treatment technology

Bayer CropScience announced that Poncho®/VOTiVO® is now available on soybean and cotton. Bayer CropScience also is introducing On Demand™, a fully-automated seed treatment system that enables greater precision for seed treaters and retailers for application of product. With these latest innovations in seed treatment technology, growers will have access to important new tools for the 2012 growing season that can help increase crop vigor and yield. Growers and seed treaters can learn more about them at the Bayer booth (441) during Farm Progress 2011, Aug. 30 through Sept. 1, 2011 in Decatur, Ill.

"Growers who used Poncho/VOTiVO for the 2011 corn growing season already know about the benefits it brings to insect and nematode protection, as well as increasing plant vigor and health,” said Kerry Grossweiler, product manager at Bayer CropScience. “With the availability of Poncho/VOTiVO on soybeans and cotton, growers can look forward to new levels of crop protection and yield increases.”

Poncho®/VOTiVO® on Soybeans

Poncho/VOTiVO provides both above and below ground protection from early-season insects and nematodes, including the soybean cyst nematode, which causes an estimated $1 billion loss in soybean crops annually. On soybean, Poncho/VOTiVO protects against a range of insects, including early-season aphids, over-wintering bean leaf beetle, seed corn maggot, white grub and grape colaspis.

Soybean is the most important oilseed crop produced in the world.1 In 2011, 76.6 million acres are expected to be planted with soybeans.2 Because more than 100 species of nematodes have been shown to feed on soybeans, Poncho/VOTiVO complements the genetic resistance bred into most commercial soybeans, and will prove to be a critical tool for soybean growers utilizing integrated pest management programs.

Extensive testing with Poncho/VOTiVO has shown a significant yield advantage in soybeans, with an average of 1 to 2 bushels per acre (bu/A) gain over and above the increase experienced with Gaucho® seed-applied insecticide.

Poncho®/VOTiVO® on Cotton

Poncho/VOTiVO on cotton provides protection against nematodes through the second-generation, and works from the moment the seed is planted to defend plants from pests. Because it protects against multiple types of cotton-parasitic nematodes, Poncho/VOTiVO is a key component of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs. Poncho/VOTiVO can be paired with Gaucho and Aeris® seed-applied insecticide to provide additional control of a broad range of early-season insects, including thrips, aphids and cutworm. Poncho/VOTiVO promotes a higher yield through a healthier root system and a more vigorous and uniform crop.

Cotton acreage increases are expected in every state this year, for a total of 12.6 million acres. For these plants, Poncho/VOTiVO can protect against a broad range of nematodes, including root-knot, reniform and Columbia lance.

On Demand™

On Demand is the first and only fully-automated seed treatment system developed to make treating seeds easier, more accurate and more efficient. The system is designed with product stewardship and convenience in mind, offering consistent applications resulting in improved seed integrity and accountability.

The system allows operators to select from multiple, pre-loaded and seed company-approved treatment recipes at the touch of a button. The true closed system eliminates jug-mixing by hand, helping to ensure that Poncho/VOTiVO and other Bayer seed treatments will be applied with greater precision and according to labeled rates.

"Innovation in seed treatment is essential to helping growers protect their crops and achieving quality yields in a sustainable way,” said Grossweiler. “On Demand takes seed treating to the next level, and benefits growers by giving them added assurance that their seeds are being treated accurately. On Demand also benefits growers by providing them with a vast amount of data which can help improve decision making and planning for future seasons.”

The user-friendly, touchscreen-based On Demand system can help manage product usage and will automatically reorder supplies so dealers can optimize inventory. Treaters will also benefit from state-of-the-art remote troubleshooting that enables automatic communication between the On Demand system and Bayer CropScience service professionals if any issues are detected.