SAI Seed Loading Analysis

Seed Loading Analysis Results for Seed Applied Insecticide (SAI)
Laboratory Test and Field Emergence Relationship Study 2007

Funding for this project was provided by Mid-West Seed Services, Inc., Bayer Crop Science and Syngenta Crop Protection.
Forty-six commercially conditioned and SAI treated dent corn seed lots were received for the 2007 seed applied insecticide laboratory and field emergence study. SAI treated seed lots were to include questionable quality (93%+ warm and 75-85% tray cold tests) and mid-quality SAI treated seed lots (93-95% warm and 85-90% tray cold tests).

Fungicide only treated seed lots were to be paired with the same lot containing a SAI over treatment. Each seed cooperator was asked to list seed lot identification information for each entry including pedigree, lot, relative maturity days, SAI treatment rate, and any applied fungicide product.

Coded samples were packaged and sent to KMR for field plantings by April 19, 2007. Laboratory testing was initiated May 1, 2007.

Thirty-three of the 46 submitted seed lots were treated at the 0.250 mg ai per kernel SAI rate. Thirteen samples were removed from analysis; twelve seed lots were fungicide only and one sample was treated at the 1.250 mg ai per kernel SAI Rate. SAI application rates were determined by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Analysis of SAI seed loading on 33 seed lots found 20% of tested samples were either over or under treated by 20% or greater (Figure 1). HPLC analysis demonstrated 42% of samples were treated at the target rate of 0.250 mg ai per kernel SAI. The mg ai per kernel ranged 0.549 mg (0.162 to 0.711 mg). The treatment range probably warrants the addition of a routine calibration program on seed treaters to assure application consistency.

A presentation on the findings of this study will be presented during the Seed Treatment and Environment Committee meeting on December 5, 2007, 2:30-4:00pm at the Corn & Sorghum and Soybean Seed Research Conference 2007 in Chicago, IL.

We are looking to continue this study next year. If you are interested in submitting samples please contact Amanda Patin at MWSS.

Figure 1. HPLC analysis of thirty-three seed lots commercially treated at the 0.250 mg ai per kernel SAI Rate.



Amanda Patin - Research Coordinator