New seed treatment for wireworm approved in UK

Since the suspension of the use of Poncho (clothianidin) in the European Union, many maize growers have been without protection from wireworms, but Bayer CropScience now has an alternative option -- at least for  the United Kingdom and France. 

Bayer CropScience developed a thiacloprid-based seed treatment called Sonido for the French market. When first developed, the treated seeds could only be imported to the UK, but now the British government has given permission for Sonido to be used to treat seeds locally.

Sonido has a maximum planting rate of 2.2 unit/ha (45,000 seeds an acre). It may be used on maize seed intended for grain, silage or game cover.

"It is now the only effective option that UK growers have for this damaging pest and has provided comparable control of wireworms to Poncho," Peter Stacey, Bayer CropScience's product manager, said. "Wireworm control will always be lower in difficult conditions, especially where soils are cold and wet during the early growth phase. Growers should always ensure they wait until conditions are favorable before planting crops."

Sonido is not recommended for co-treatment with Mesurol (methiocarb), so additional protection may be required for the sake of bird damage.