Special Report

Root health is critical to crop

Root health is instrumental to a productive crop.  Jennifer Riggs, Product Development Manager for Bayer tells Brownfield root health is critical for corn and soybeans.  Seed treatments available for farmers today have greatly increased the opportunity to bring benefit to growers.

Bayer recently introduced ILeVO fungicide which protects against early-season infection of Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) as well as soilborne nematodes.

Growers can see SDS above ground, but the root is also being impacted.  Even during those years when the crop doesn’t show obvious symptoms above ground, the fungus is still impacting the root.  Riggs says data shows a 2 – 4 bushel yield increase from using ILeVO even when there are no above-ground symptoms of SDS.

Soybean Cyst Nematodes (SCN) are becoming resistant to the SCN-resistant seed trait that farmers have been using for many years to protect against this top yield robber in soybean production. ILeVO kills all nematode species in the seed zone.

During challenging economic times, Riggs tells Brownfield that seed treatments are an important investment because seeds are protected from the time they’re put into the ground, so they can be planted earlier in the season.

Poncho/VOTiVO is another Bayer seed treatment that protects young plants from pests during early development stages, leading to healthier root development and stronger stands. This seed treatment features a biological mode of action with a unique bacteria strain that lives and grows with young roots, creating a living barrier that prevents nematodes from damaging the roots. It also has a systemic agent that’s absorbed by new roots immediately, providing control of many of the critical early-season insect pests.

Riggs tells Brownfield that Poncho/VOTiVO actually shifts the root architecture of a corn plant to adapt to environmental stresses such as drought. The tap root will go deeper, making the root more productive with less energy.  She said Poncho/VOTiVO is the number one seed treatment for corn.

Coming soon is the next generation – Poncho/VOTiVO 2.0 – will further enhance yield potential by increasing the availability of nutrients in the soil, while still protecting young corn plants from insects and nematodes.  Riggs tells Brownfield this next gen seed treatment promises to add another 4 bushel yield on top of what Poncho-VOTiVO brings.

Poncho/VOTiVO 2.0 is scheduled to be introduced in 2018 for the 2019 growing season.

Conversation with Jennifer Riggs: