Soybean Seed Treatments: Defending Yield Potential
Soybean seed treatments have gained popularity over the last five to 10 years as a way of defending against early seedling diseases, especially in soybeans. Seed treatments help make growers planting soybeans in the spring before they plant their corn (which is becoming quite common) more feasible. There are numerous different types of treatments on the market currently, ranging from fungicide, insecticide, nematicide and sudden death syndrome (SDS) protection.
Common seedling diseases we see in cool or wet/warm compacted soils are Pythium, Fusarium, Rhizoctonia and Phytophthora root rot. Each one of these diseases can negatively affect plant health and yield potential. Most, if not all, soybeans now have stronger disease ratings and tolerances to early seedling disease. However, natural plant immunity is not enough to deter all side effects from a disease like Phytophthora or SDS. That’s where seed treatments come into play, protecting and defending yield potential.
Soybean Seed Treatment Options
We offer three different seed treatments to defend against early seedling diseases we commonly see in Iowa — CruiserMaxx APX, Vibrance Trio and Saltro.
CruiserMaxx APX and Vibrance Trio both contain mefenoxam and fludioxonil as a part of their formulation. An active ingredient like mefenoxam can be effective in stopping fungal diseases such as Pythium and Phytophthora. On the other hand, having fludioxonil as an active ingredient will reduce damage caused by fungi like Fusarium and Rhizoctonia. CruiserMaxx APX goes a step further in protection by also including Thiamethoxam, a broad-spectrum insecticide used to control early-season sucking and chewing, leaf-feeding, and soil-dwelling pests.
Our third offering, Saltro, is a seed treatment aiding in the prevention of SDS, one of the most damaging diseases a soybean plant can face. With SDS, the plant will start to suddenly die in early August when pods are starting to form, leaving a premature plant with little to no seed fill. Until 2016, there were no preventative treatments for SDS. Since 2019, Saltro has been one of the leading treatments to combat SDS with no adverse effects on the soybean plant, stronger control and better formulation to work with other seed treatments on the market.
When putting together your planting playbook, we encourage you to consider adding seed treatments for soybeans. They help provide the peace of mind that no matter when planted, your soybeans have extra protection against yield-robbing diseases and insects.