The relationship between pellet size and the quantity of imidacloprid applied to sugar beet pellets and the consequences for seedling emergence

Phytotoxicity of the Systemic Insecticide Imidacloprid on Tomato and Cucumber in the Greenhouse

“…Most research reports on imidacloprid have been on field-grown plants, including tomato and cucumber, and most have not reported phytotoxicity symptoms (Lutzinsky et al, 1996;Marcano and Gonzalez, 1993). Only two reports were found that indicated phytotoxicity by imidacloprid, a reduction in seed germination of sugar beets (Dewar et al, 1997) and marginal leaf necrosis of cauliflower (Natick et al, 1996). The following study was conducted to determine whether imidacloprid caused the damage to cucumber and tomato that we previously observed.…”

Citrus Leafminer, Phyllocnistis Citrella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), and Natural Enemy Dynamics in Central Florida During 2005

“…Wallace et al (2000) found that imidacloprid was phytotoxic to cucumbers in the greenhouse and Ebel et al (2000) found it was toxic to tomatoes and cucumbers in the greenhouse. Dewar et al (1997) found that sugar beet seeds in pellets containing higher rates of imidacloprid had a slower germination rate, and the total number of seedlings emerging was reduced, but different cultivars affected the degree of these effects by imidacloprid. Bhagwat & Lane (2003) found that imidacloprid caused chlorosis of in vitro shoot cultures of apples at the end of the 6-week treatment.…”

Seed treatment, dust and granule application

“…Simple dressing of seed has now been replaced by film coating using polymers to control the rate at which the pesticide is released to minimise phytotoxicity and prolong activity in the soil and protection of the plants. The amount of pesticide applied is related to the pellet size (Dewar et al, 1997). Seed coating is similar, but adds several layers that may also include other inerts and a distinctive colour.…”