Prefer seed treatments over foliar treatments
Presentation
Technique characterization
Technique description :
| Julien Halska | INRA | julien.halska(at)grignon.inra.fr | Epoisses (21) |
| Rémy Ballot | INRA | remy.ballot(at)grignon.inra.fr | Grignon (78) |
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Whenever possible, prioritize crop protection by seed treatment rather than foliar treatments.
Implementation period On established crop
Spatial scale of implementation Plot
Application of the technique to...
All crops : Sometimes difficult to generalize
This technique can only be applied for the combinations of crops X pests for which a seed treatment can substitute a foliar treatment.
All soil types : Easily generalizable
All climatic contexts : Easily generalizable
Regulations
For the use of seeds protected by certain seed treatments, regulations require pneumatic seed drills to be equipped with deflectors to limit dust dispersion into the atmosphere.
Decree of April 13, 2010 modifying the decree of January 13, 2009 relating to the conditions of coating and use of seeds treated with products mentioned in article L. 253-1 of the rural code
Effects on the sustainability of the cropping system
"Environmental" criteria
Effect on air quality : Increasing
Phytosanitary emissions : DECREASE
GHG emissions : NEUTRAL
Other : No effect (neutral)
Pollutant transfer to water (N, P, phytosanitary ...) : no knowledge on impact
The impact of substituting seed treatments for foliar treatments on the risk of transfer to water is difficult to assess. It can be assumed that the risk of transfer by leaching is increased, but the transfer of phytosanitary products to water mainly occurs by runoff: active substances buried with the seed would therefore be less subject to this risk.
Pollutant transfer to air (N, P, phytosanitary ...) : Decrease
Substituting seed treatments for foliar treatments avoids the transfer of active substances to the air by drift or volatilization. However, seed treatment dust can be dispersed into the atmosphere at sowing. The use of deflectors on the seed drill limits this risk.
Fossil energy consumption : no effect (neutral)
Substituting a seed treatment for a foliar treatment avoids a sprayer pass, but the fuel consumption related to this pass can be considered negligible.
GHG emissions : no effect (neutral)
"Agronomic" criteria
Productivity : Variable
Substituting seed treatments for foliar treatments, when possible, has the same effectiveness on the targeted pest. It can serve as "insurance" in situations where foliar intervention might be difficult to carry out (intervention conditions, competition with other operations...).
Soil fertility : No effect (neutral)
Water stress : No effect (neutral)
Functional Biodiversity : No knowledge on impact
It can be assumed that the use of seed treatments impacts the functional biodiversity of the soil. But this impact is difficult to assess: it must include the reduction in the amount of active substance applied that substituting a seed treatment for a foliar treatment allows in certain situations.
"Economic" criteria
Operating costs : Increasing
Substituting a seed treatment for a foliar treatment generally involves an additional cost. This cost is all the more significant if it is accompanied by a transition from farm-saved seed to certified seed.
Mechanization costs : No effect (neutral)
Substituting a seed treatment for a foliar treatment avoids a sprayer pass, but mechanization costs related to this pass can be considered negligible.
Margin : Variable
The impact of substituting a seed treatment for a foliar treatment depends on the additional cost related to the seed treatment, or even seed purchase, and the potential yield gain in situations where a foliar treatment cannot be performed.
"Social" criteria
Working time : Decreasing
Substituting a seed treatment for a foliar treatment avoids a sprayer pass.
Observation time : Decreasing
Substituting a seed treatment for a foliar treatment removes the need to monitor crops for treatment triggering.
For more information
- Phytosanitary products in the air
- -Technical brochure, 2007
Keywords
Pest control method : Chemical control
Mode of action : Rescue
Strategy type regarding pesticide use : Efficiency
