Premium
Can Insecticide Seed Treatments Be Used to Safen Soybean to Applications of Injurious Postemergence Herbicides?
Author(s) -
Steppig Nicholas R.,
Norsworthy Jason K.,
Scott Robert C.,
Lorenz Gus M.,
Roberts Trenton L.,
Gbur Edward E.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
crop, forage and turfgrass management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.29
H-Index - 10
ISSN - 2374-3832
DOI - 10.2134/cftm2017.07.0045
Subject(s) - thiamethoxam , clothianidin , neonicotinoid , weed control , sowing , agronomy , crop , biology , seed treatment , pesticide , toxicology , imidacloprid , germination
Core Ideas Postemergence herbicide applications can cause injury to soybean crops. The use of insecticide seed treatments has been shown to reduce injury from some herbicides following emergence in some crops. No previous research has been conducted to examine any similar instance in soybean. Results from this research indicate insecticide seed treatments are not likely to reduce injury from the postemergence herbicides evaluated in soybean.Weed control in soybean production plays a vital role in producing a high‐yielding crop. An important component of effective weed control programs for many soybean producers is the use of postemergence (POST) herbicide applications; however, some crop injury can accompany these applications. While uncommon, this injury can result in yield loss depending on the severity and timing of application. Previous research has shown that, in rice, some neonicotinoid insecticide seed treatments can act as herbicide safeners in addition to protecting against early‐season insect pests. Neonicotinoid seed treatments are extensively used in soybean production, but their utility as herbicide safeners has not been examined. As such, field trials were conducted in Marianna, AR in 2015 and 2016, in addition to near Colt, AR in 2016, to determine whether a safening effect could be observed using thiamethoxam and clothianidin in soybean following applications of POST herbicides that commonly cause crop injury. Chlorimuron, fomesafen, and 2,4‐DB were applied 21 d after planting. In Marianna in 2016, injury from chlorimuron and fomesafen was reduced 8 and 7% points, respectively, in thiamethoxam‐treated seed. At the same location and evaluation timing, clothianidin‐treated seed reduced injury from 2,4‐DB by 8% points 1 week after application (WAA). Additionally, a seed treatment main effect was observed at Marianna in 2016 both 2 WAA and 4 WAA, where a thiamethoxam seed treatment reduced injury 5 and 6% points, respectively, averaged across all herbicides. Aside from Marianna in 2016, visible injury was not reduced at any location or evaluation timing. Additionally, yield was not impacted by seed treatment at any location. Based on the results from these experiments, the insecticides clothianidin and thiamethoxam, applied as seed treatments, are unlikely to successfully safen the evaluated POST‐applied herbicides that are often injurious to soybean.