Baseline information on agricultural practices in the EU ... - Europabio
Baseline information on agricultural practices in the EU ... - Europabio
Baseline information on agricultural practices in the EU ... - Europabio
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Figure 6: Calendar of activities <strong>in</strong> grow<strong>in</strong>g sugar beet (source CIBE-CEFS, 2010)<br />
4.3 Seed treatment<br />
The m<strong>on</strong>ogerm seed for sugar beet <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> market is almost exclusively <strong>in</strong> pellet form. Pellet seed is<br />
encased <strong>in</strong> a coat c<strong>on</strong>ta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g comp<strong>on</strong>ents used to c<strong>on</strong>trol diseases and pests. In terms of form and<br />
size, pelleted seed represents an extremely uniform seed type (OECD, 2001).<br />
Almost all seed (Table 8) is treated with fungicides to protect <strong>the</strong> seedl<strong>in</strong>gs aga<strong>in</strong>st damp<strong>in</strong>g-off<br />
(general term used for a number of different fungus-caused ailments which can kill seeds or seedl<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
before or after <strong>the</strong>y germ<strong>in</strong>ate). A standard seed dress<strong>in</strong>g c<strong>on</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>s thiram (=TMTD) and hymexazol<br />
(Tachigaren) (FERA). Ano<strong>the</strong>r fungicide is flutal<strong>on</strong>il. The fungicide thiram is no l<strong>on</strong>ger permitted <strong>in</strong><br />
France.<br />
To protect young seedl<strong>in</strong>gs aga<strong>in</strong>st early attacks from pests such as pygmy mangold beetles,<br />
spr<strong>in</strong>gtails, symphylids, aphids, millipedes and wireworms also an <strong>in</strong>secticide is applied to <strong>the</strong> seed.<br />
Seed treatment with imidacloprid (Gaucho, Imprimo), a systemic <strong>in</strong>secticide, protects aga<strong>in</strong>st <strong>in</strong>sects<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> early stages of seedl<strong>in</strong>g and plant development. Beta-cyfluthr<strong>in</strong>/clothianid<strong>in</strong> (P<strong>on</strong>cho Beta,<br />
Mundus Forte) or tefluthr<strong>in</strong> (Force), thiamethoxam (Cruiser), or comb<strong>in</strong>ati<strong>on</strong>s are also used.<br />
Imidacloprid and clothianid<strong>in</strong> will give systemic protecti<strong>on</strong> from early aphid attack.<br />
In order to <strong>in</strong>crease germ<strong>in</strong>ati<strong>on</strong> ability and to <strong>in</strong>crease uniformity seed companies <strong>in</strong>troduced prim<strong>in</strong>g<br />
techniques. Prim<strong>in</strong>g occurs when seeds are imbibed <strong>in</strong> a c<strong>on</strong>trolled way to <strong>in</strong>duce <strong>the</strong> pre-germ<strong>in</strong>ative<br />
metabolism and <strong>the</strong>n dried before <strong>the</strong> radicle emerges. The hydrati<strong>on</strong> treatment is stopped before<br />
desiccati<strong>on</strong> tolerance is lost.<br />
Table 8: Sugar beet seed treatment; figures are percentage of sugar beet crop area treated<br />
(Sources: a IRS; b BBRO; c EuropaBio member companies)<br />
Z<strong>on</strong>e Member State Insecticide<br />
(% of sugar beet crop<br />
area treated)<br />
A<br />
North<br />
Denmark - -<br />
Est<strong>on</strong>ia n/a n/a<br />
Fungicide<br />
(% of sugar beet crop<br />
area treated)<br />
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