UK: new seed treatment product approval means more flexibility for growers

Date:07-17-2012

Maize growers will have much more flexibility in their selection of seed treatments for 2013 now methiocarb seed treatment Mesurol can be applied in the UK.

In the past more than 90 per cent of maize seed sown in the UK was imported already treated with Mesurol because, although treated seed could be imported, there was no approval for application of the seed treatment here.

This caused problems for UK seed treaters because of the difficulties and complications of adding additional treatments to treated seed - the most efficient and effective approach is to apply all seed treatments in one process.

The net effect was to restrict grower’s choice of seed treatments and also meant they needed to order seed earlier than they might wish.

According to Bayer CropScience seed treatment manager Peter Stacey, the situation also had implications for dose rates of additional seed treatments used on maize seed.

He says: “For instance, Poncho Maize (clothianidin) is usually applied at a higher rate on the continent compared to here because of their need to control diabrotica, which is not currently an issue in the UK.”

Simon Draper of the Maize Growers Association says the approval of Mesurol for application in the UK means for the 2013 season, growers will also be able to make a later decision as to whether or not they wish to have Poncho applied and, for many, this could be a good option.

Trials

He says: “In our trials we found Poncho gave around a 9 per cent yield increase, even where soil pests were not observed.

"Although the cost might appear high at around £45/ha for a 110,000 seeds/ha sowing rate, the return is worth three or more times this amount for an average yielding crop.

"However, the trials also suggest that the use of increased seed rates [130,000 seeds/ha] produced even higher yields of dry matter, although with a reduction in starch concentration, making the seed treatment even more worthwhile.”

For 2013, UK seed treaters can buy untreated seed from the continent and then treat to growers’ requirements.

Mr Stacey says: “Growers will no longer need to order excessively early and should be able to finalise which fields are to be sown with maize and the risks in those fields before deciding on seed treatment requirements.

"My advice to growers is to speak to their seed treater now and determine the options and lead times for seed treatments for the 2013 crop,” he says.