These days, many soybean farmers across America are shifting their planting dates to earlier in the year. When conditions are suitable, earlier soybean planting dates can bring increased yield. However, early planting can put soybean crops at risk for infection from numerous pathogens, including Phytophthora, a group of water molds that can infect various plants including trees and crops like soybeans. It’s the No. 1 early-season disease for soybeans because it thrives in the wet soil conditions common in the early growing season.
Phytophthora causes root and stem rot in seedlings and can potentially destroy large swaths of crops. Fortunately, one development in the industry has the potential to save soybean farmers from substantial crop loss.
Experts agree that crop disease prevention is the best way to avoid the destruction that Phytophthora can cause. For years, the experts at the University of Nebraska’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources have recommended a soybean seed treatment fungicide for farmers who plant their fields early, especially if their fields have a history of Phytophthora infections.
With 38 years of experience in the agriculture industry, AgVenture’s Scott Hart can connect farmers with the best seeds for soybean production. Hart is AgVenture’s product and technical marketing manager and has been with the company for 14 years. Essentially, AgVenture is a network of independent seed companies that combine the best of local know-how with an extensive catalog of product options for America’s farmers. “It’s a unique model in the seed industry,” Hart said.
One such soybean treatment product option that AgVenture offers is a treatment package that includes LumiTreoTM, a three-way premix fungicide treatment formulated for control of soybean seedling disease complex such as, damping off, seedling blight, seed and root rot. This powerful fungicide features oxathiapiprolin, the active ingredient in Lumisena®, providing the best protection against Phytophthora sojae.
The active ingredients contained in LumiTreoTM three-way fungicide (oxathiapiprolin, ipconazole and picoxystrobin) translocate throughout the seed, root system and aerial portions of the soybean plant. This provides additional protection against pathogens causing stem rots and seedling blights.
“There’s multi-year testing behind the scenes,” said Hart. “We look at efficacy towards the diseases and the ability for planters to handle it safely.”
Hart knows farmers don’t have time to mess around with a product that may or may not work. LumiTreoTM has a proven track record, producing a four bushels/acre advantage in high-stress environments in field testing over metalaxyl, the previous leading technology against Phytophthora. “I can go to our customers with great confidence and say, this product does what it’s supposed to, and you can feel confident when you’re handling it,” Hart said. And with a seed package that includes LumiTreoTM, farmers don’t need to change their operations. “It’s another tool in their toolbox. All the farmer has to do is purchase the seed.”
With AgVenture’s model, farmers can work with their local seed company that partners with AgVenture to acquire the right seed package. These companies treat their customers soybean seeds in the spring before delivering them.
“Early planting exposes those plants to more disease and harsher emergence conditions,” said Hart. “Our independent companies stress the importance of protecting yield, and treated seeds do just that.”
Soybean farmers make a lot of decisions for how they manage their business. When it comes to crop disease prevention, soybean farmers can look no further for a head start for a successful soybean season than the best-in-class protection that LumiTreoTM provides.
For more information visit: agventure.com.
