Tuesday, November 14, 2006
165-4

The effect of neonicotinoid seed treatments on soybean yield and rhizobium inoculation.

Terry Schulz, Kurt Thelen, and Wang Dechun. Michigan State U. Crop & Soil Sc, 286 Plant & Soil Sciences Bldg, East Lansing, MI 48824-1325, United States of America

New neonicotenoid seed treatments have been introduced for soybeans over the past three years including Cruiser (thiamethoxam) and Gaucho (Imidacloprid).  These products provide protection against soil borne insects including seed corn maggots, wireworm, and grubs, as well as early season suppression of insects such as soybean aphid for up to 65 days.  The objective of this study was to determine the effect these seed treatments had on soybean stand counts, plant height, crop yield, insect pressure, and potential interactions with rhizobial seed inoculant products.