When nematodes infest a field, they can do extensive damage to the roots and, by season’s end, to yield. Due to their small size and patchy distribution pattern, nematodes are often overlooked for the yield-impacting problem they are. Damage to the roots does not often translate to easily seen above-ground symptomology. This is why nematodes are often referred to as “silent yield-robbers.” Severe damage occurs infrequently, but can be as high as 50% loss.^
Because nematode populations tend to grow fastest in the first half of the growing season, they are particularly well suited for control with seed treatments.
Corteva Agriscience has incorporated proven nematode protection for corn and soybeans as part of LumiGEN® seed treatments, available AgVenture Independent Seed Companies as part of the Security Seed Protection System™. Let’s take a closer look at each nematicide offering and how it works.
For corn
Lumialza® nematicide seed treatment is effective against the seven key species of corn nematodes:
- Sting
- Needle
- Lance
- Stubby-root
- Root-knot
- Dagger
- Lesion
This photo shows the bio-barrier formed by Lumialza shielding root.
The roots for the plant from Lumialza-treated seed (left) are much healthier and fully developed than the plants treated with a non-nematicide (right and center). From a 2018 study of sting nematode pressure at Delavan, IL.
Lumialza grows with the corn plant, creating an expanding bio-barrier around the plant’s roots. This bio-barrier inhibits nematode contact with the roots and also paralyzes nematodes. Lumialza provides 80+ days of protection to shield roots during critical development. Under low nematode pressure, Lumialza has been shown to improve yield by 3.7 bu/A. In high-pressure environments, the improvement is as high as 9 bu/A.* Lumialza also cooperates with beneficial organisms that improve water and nutrient absorption.
For soybeans
ILEVO® seed treatment works against SCN and sudden death syndrome (SDS), two major threats to soybean yield.
ILEVO controls SCN across the parasite’s entire lifecycle. At hatching, ILEVO reduces nematodes by 96%, but it also continues to work against nematodes at the root penetration and reproductive stages.^^ This is important, because as nematodes mature into adults and reproduce, damage to plants increases. ILEVO works by inhibiting cellular respiration in nematodes, and when combined with the LumiGEN® base treatment, showed a 1.1 bu/A yield advantage over CruiserMaxx® Vibrance® + Saltro® under SCN pressure.
In a series of 76 on-farm trials across eight states, adding ILEVO to the base LumiGEN seed treatment recipe resulted in a 3.8 bu/A yield benefit.
Don’t let nematodes interfere with performance potential
Seed is every farmer’s most important input, so getting the most out of that investment is vital. LumiGEN seed treatments are made for Corteva Agriscience™ genetics: designed, verified and proven in the field on the hybrids and varieties you sell. Lumialza and ILEVO help keep pests and diseases at bay to protect the high-performance genetics in your lineup. Talk to your AgVenture Yield Specialist to learn more about the seed treatments available from your local Independent Seed Company.
Visit our seed treatment page to learn more about AgVenture’s Security Seed Protection System, powered by LumiGEN seed treatments.
Data is based on 10-state broad-acre head-to-head strip trial comparing Lumialza nematicide seed treatment vs. non-nematicide seed treatment utilizing the same insecticide and fungicide recipe in seed-applied technology replicated and strip trial data. Yields ranged from 3 to 9 bu/A, depending on nematode species and population, in 184 low-stress and 54 moderate- to high-stress locations.
^ “Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) – Soybean Disease – Soybean Research & Information Network – SRIN,” Soybean Research & Information Network, January 25, 2021, https://soybeanresearchinfo.com/soybean-disease/soybean-cyst-nematode-scn/.
^^ Beeman and Tylka. 2017. Iowa State University.
™ ® Corteva Agriscience, Lumialza and LumiGEN are trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies.
Components of LumiGEN® seed treatments are applied at a Corteva Agriscience production facility, or by an independent sales representative of Corteva Agriscience or its affiliates. Not all sales representatives offer treatment services, and costs and other charges may vary. See your sales representative for details. Seed applied technologies exclusive to Corteva Agriscience and its affiliates. The information presented here is not an offer for sale. Not all products are registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Always read and follow label directions. ILEVO is a registered trademark of BASF. CruiserMaxx, Vibrance and Saltro are registered trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.