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 Feb. 28, 2008 Source: BASF news release Promising research results on upcoming fungicide seed treatments for corn and soybeans are among the leading current and future BASF seed treatments research being presented today at its Science Behind Seed Treatments symposium. The symposium takes place as BASF prepares to unveil several new seed treatment technologies in the next couple years. Field trials on the two upcoming fungicide seed treatment products - one the recently registered Stamina® fungicide seed treatment for corn, another investigational seed treatment for soybeans - confirmed stand and yield improvements when seed and seedlings are protected from key diseases, including Rhizoctonia. As planting dates in many row crops move earlier each year, cold, wet soil conditions pose a disease threat and stresses that these upcoming fungicide seed treatments answer that need. Craig Lindholm, marketing manager - Seed Treatments, U.S. Crop Protection at BASF, said the goal is to improve plant survival right out of the ground. "The key is improved stress tolerance, which will lead to increased yield potential by giving seedlings a stronger start with improved plant vigor in those critical early days." Investments in BASF Seed Treatment Technology Center now paying off The symposium highlighted the work of BASF in researching seed treatments. "I'm very proud to be here today," said Dr. Voeste from BASF Crop Protection Headquarters in Germany. "Four years after our decision to invest in dedicated seed treatment research and development, we have received U.S. registration for a new seed treatment fungicide from our own portfolio of proprietary active ingredients. Stamina® fungicide is the first in a new generation of BASF seed treatment products that we will be launching globally over the next couple of years." The company's state-of-the-art seed treatment R&D platform moves from research over formulation to seed application in the company's Seed Treatment Technology Center. In the Seed Lab, new seed treatment formulations are tested to make sure they germinate at the highest standards. Finally, BASF tests its products in field trials across the globe. Combining global seed treatment R&D with Plant Health expertise For BASF, Dr. Voeste explained, seed treatment means protection plus vitality. BASF research clearly shows that young, healthy seedlings are the first step in maximizing yields. Seed treatments also reduce input costs, since fewer trips over the field are needed, and will protect the investment of growers. Over the past four years, BASF scientists have focused on bringing active ingredients with proven Plant Health effects to seed partners and ultimately to the grower. "Our next-generation products will contain active ingredients such as F 500®, the active ingredient in Headline® fungicide, as well as boscalid and fipronil, which also show promising yield advantages in addition to insect control." Stamina® fungicide seed treatment with F 500® fungicide seed treatment is a good example. Field trials show that corn plants treated with Stamina offer state-of-the-art disease control. In addition, Stamina improves stress tolerance and growth performance, bringing an additional yield advantage when compared to the standard seed treatment programs. A series of lab trials have also confirmed that Stamina makes seedlings more tolerant to cold. BASF scientists also seek to improve seedling protection and vitality with innovative formulation technology. "Our biologists and chemists have access to the entire BASF research Verbund," said Dr. Voeste. "We don't have to buy ingredients, such as polymers, dyes and pigments externally," he said. "We are the ones developing the next-generation solutions." Convergence of factors All of the research is taking place at a time when there is a convergence of factors impacting the agriculture environment in the United States, including rising demand and the increasing value of the seed investment at a time when there is no additional land being put into production. Andy Lee, director of business operations, U.S. Crop Protection for BASF based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, opened the symposium with a look at the current U.S. market for corn, soybeans and wheat, which is driving the need for technology. Citing record commodity prices and domestic and foreign demand that continues to rise, Lee stressed the need to get the most out of every acre today. "Technologies such as seed treatments and the Plant Health technology that BASF has pioneered with Headline® fungicide are critical to the ability of America's growers to meet demand for their grain," said Lee. "BASF is today, and will continue to be in the years ahead, at the forefront of this new area of scientific discovery - filling an innovation and information void." Lee also noted that as an increasing number of agronomic traits are bred into seed, the value of corn, soybean and wheat seed has grown exponentially, giving seed treatments a stronger role as growers look to protect their significant investment in seed and seed companies look to ensure their best genetics are best positioned to succeed. Agronomic factors increasing importance of protecting seed and seedlings Plant pathologists and entomologists contend that changes in agronomic practices also increase the need to re-examine how growers manage disease and insect pressures, particularly in the early stages of crop development. Factors such as the increased popularity of reduced tillage and no-till systems in row crops and more corn-on-corn production have elevated the importance of protecting seed and seedlings from diseases and insects with seed treatments. Dr. Gary Munkvold, associate professor at Iowa State University, said, "Cropping practices are increasing the disease risk out there, which is continuing to fuel the need for new active ingredients in seed treatments to answer the need." Dr. Munkvold emphasized the point, saying "we are now seeing a seed treatment revolution." |
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