Switchgrass Establishment and Biomass Yield Responses to Fungicide and Insecticide Seed Treatments

Abstract

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is being evaluated for both forage and bioenergy in the Great Plains of the USA. Management strategies to improve switchgrass seedling vigor and emergence may result in more successful switchgrass stands due to better competitive advantage for switchgrass seedlings over weedy species. The objectives of this field experiment were to determine the effects of seven broad-spectrum fungicide and insecticide seed treatments on the establishment and yield of lowland type 'EG1101' switchgrass. The combination of fungicide + insecticide (regardless of formulation) tended to result in taller seedlings and greater seedling densities and stands of switchgrass as compared to untreated control (UTC), fungicide only, and insecticide only. These advantages didn't result in greater switchgrass dry matter (DM) yield, probably due to adequate stands (>1-2 plants per ft 2 ) that were achieved by all fungicide -insecticide seed treatments including UTC. However, given the relatively small cost per acre of seed treatments, there may be early-season benefits to treating seeds with a broad-spectrum insecticide as an insurance measure to increase switchgrass seedling vigor and reduce the chance of stand failure, especially when used with a proven weed management program. SWITCHGRASS Switchgrass is a warm-season perennial grass that is native to the United States east of the Rocky Mountains and south of 55¢ N latitude, and is being evaluated for forage and bioenergy in the southern Great Plains. However, successful germination and establishment of switchgrass stands can be hindered by soil temperature and pH (Hanson and Johnson, 2005), slow seedling growth, seed dormancy, planting depth (Berti and Johnson, 2013), seed size (Aiken and Springer, 1995;Smart and Moser, 1999), and, most commonly, competition by weeds.Management strategies such as herbicide application to control weeds during switchgrass establishment have been shown to improve switchgrass stands by reducing weed competition (Curran et al

Seedbed Preparation and Planting Depth Affect Switchgrass Establishment and Yield

“…These results support similar ideal planting depths as reported by Parrish et al (2008) and Propheter et al (2010). Switchgrass establishment year stand of 60% and DM yield of 900 lb DM/ acre were comparable to 67% stand and 840 lb DM/acre reported by Interrante et al (2015) in similar soils and environments in Ardmore and Burneyville, OK. It is likely that DM yield will increase after the establishment year as stands become fully established and N fertilizer application increases (Propheter et al, 2010).…”

EFFECT OF SEED TREATMENT VERSUS FIELD SPRAYING ON GROWTH AND YIELD PERFORMANCE OF MAIZE (Zea Mays)

“…Seed treatment with fungicides can reduce fungal colonization, seed quality, and radicle decay, and improve seedling emergence in different crops (Muthomi et al, 2007;Babadoost and Islam, 2003;Munkvold and O'Mara, 2002). Although the primary effect of seed coating is to reduce damage by fungi and insects, it may also have a secondary effect on seedling height and stand (Interrante et al, 2015)..…”

Effect of different seed treatments on maize seed germination parameters under optimal and suboptimal temperature conditions

“…Although the primary effect of seed coating is to reduce damage by fungi and insects, it may also have secondary effect on seedling height and stand (Interrante et al, 2015) and shoot and root length (Munkvold & O'Mara, 2002). However, in some cases, fungicide and insecticide seed treatments can cause delayed seedling germination and early seedling growth retardation (Görtz et al, 2008).…”