Approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been announced for the use of Force ST insecticide as a new commercial seed treatment for corn. The Zeneca Ag Products insecticide protects germinating seeds and growing plants from rootworm, cutworm, white grub, wireworm and seed corn maggot.

“The Force ST seed treatment is unique because it controls all types of rootworm as well as secondary insects,” says Caydee Savinelli, technical business lead for insecticides at Zeneca. “It is a convenient way to protect corn fields from a broad spectrum of soil insects.”

The insecticide can be applied on field corn, popcorn, seed corn and sweet corn. Unlike hopper-box treatments, it’s applied commercially at a seed corn facility and comes out of the bag ready for planting. No additional treatment or no-till planter adjustments are necessary.

Novartis Seeds, Inc., will be the only company to market seed treated with Force ST insecticide for the 2000 planting season. The company developed a patented coating process, called ProShield technology, to bind the insecticide to the seed.

“The major advantage that ProShield technology with Force ST offers farmers is time savings and convenience,” explains Gary Powell, Novartis Seeds Director of New Product Development. “Growers can buy selected NK brand hybrids and the leading corn insecticide in one bag.”

Corn rootworm is the primary targeted pest in corn production with 25 percent of the corn acreage treated with a soil insecticide.

Savinelli says Zeneca will continue to offer Force 3G insecticide which is the market leader…