Neonicotinoid insecticides applied as a coating to soybean seeds provide a maximum of three weeks of protection after planting and are ineffective against later-emerging threats such as soybean aphids, according to a new publication by researchers from Purdue and 12 other Midwest universities.
The Purdue Extension publication, The Effectiveness of Neonicotinoid Seed Treatments in Soybean, summarizes current research on both the crop protection benefits of neonicotinoids and some of the unintended consequences that have been documented since their widespread introduction as corn and soybean seed treatments about 12 years ago.
Christian Krupke, professor of entomology at Purdue and one of the authors, said the publication is intended as an information resource for farmers.
“We wanted to develop a quick reference guide with research results addressing the utility, efficacy and fit of neonicotinoid seed treatments in soybean pest management,” he said. “Our goal is to help producers assess if and when these products fit for them and make the best possible decisions for their particular field conditions.”