An entomology instructor at the University of Manitoba says the federal government's proposed phase out of a popular neonicotinoid should not have a major impact on soybean producers.
Jordan Bannerman says imidacloprid is used to treat soybeans, however that use may not be entirely justified.
"From an insect perspective in soybean, we don't see a huge amount of justification for seed treatments, unless you have a field where you have known wireworm issues, or you potentially have seed corn maggot issues," he commented. "The potential loss of these seed treatments may have some impact but we don't expect it to be a significant impact."
He adds the seed treatment doesn't help with pests such as cutworms or soybean aphid, and that proper scouting should be sufficient if and when the imidacloprid ban comes into place.
Source : Steinbachonline