USA
November 2011
Source
From planting to harvest, an onion crop can be attacked by three different generations of onion maggots. One of the most destructive pests that attack onion crops, onion maggots will feed and burrow through plants, moving down rows to feast on each plant, ruining crop quality and potentially spreading fungal and bacterial pathogens.
Typically a bigger problem in Northern temperate regions, onion maggots overwinter as pupa in a dormant stage in the soil. When the weather begins to warm in the spring, the pupae will develop into adult flies. An adult female onion maggot can lay 200 eggs in her 30-day lifespan. When the eggs hatch, the larvae will cause damage by using their hooks to bore into the plant. It is this first generation of onion maggots that will cause the plant to wilt and eventually become flaccid.
The second generation of onion maggots that hatch will feed on the onion bulb. No damage will be seen above the soil, but beneath the surface maggots will burrow, creating deformed onion bulbs that are not suitable for market. The burrowing also may spread disease and fungus to the plant.
The third generation of onion maggots occurs around the same time as harvest. Usually these eggs are laid directly on the bulb, which can destroy a crop while it is in storage, or they will be laid on the soil next to and beneath the dying onions.
Syngenta recently announced a solution to help growers fight onion maggot infestations. Spinosad insecticide, now available for use on onions as a seed treatment, can help protect onion crops from the damaging effects of onion maggots, as well as seedcorn maggots and onion thrips.
Spinosad will be available exclusively as part of FarMore® FI500 insecticide/fungicide seed treatment. Featuring two insecticides, spinosad (Regard™) and thiamethoxam (Cruiser®), as well as three trusted fungicides, mefenoxam (Apron XL®), fludioxonil (Maxim® 4FS) and azoxystrobin (Dynasty®), FarMore FI500 marks the latest evolution of the FarMore Technology platform.
"The FarMore Technology brand is constantly evolving, which is critical to our continued commitment to the small-seeded vegetable market," said Chad Shelton, asset lead, Syngenta. "Onion maggot is a very real problem for onion growers. Syngenta is excited to offer this seed treatment chemistry combined with our proprietary application technology to help combat common soil-borne diseases and insect pests, all the while increasing overall plant health."
FarMore Technology is the first comprehensive and proprietary seed-delivered solution that helps maximize vegetable production by enhancing performance and value. This combination of seed protection products and proprietary application technologies provides direct-seeded small-seeded vegetable growers with consistent performance to enhance seedling emergence, plant stand establishment, early-season vigor and plant health, as well as protect yield potential. A continually evolving platform of seed protection solutions, FarMore Technology is one of the latest in a long line of Syngenta innovations stemming from a commitment to invest in research and development.
For more information about FarMore FI500 contact your local Syngenta representative, or ask your local seed supplier for more details.
©2011 Syngenta. Important: Always read and follow label instructions before buying or using Syngenta products. The instructions contain important conditions of sale, including limitations of warranty and remedy.
Regard is not registered for use or sale in all states. Please check with your state or local extension service before buying or using this product.
FarMore Technology is a seed company- or seed technology provider-applied combination of separately registered seed protection products and propriety application technologies. FarMore FI500 contains three fungicides: Apron XL, Maxim 4FS and Dynasty; and two insecticides: spinosad and Cruiser 70WS.
Apron XL®, Cruiser®, Dynasty®, FarMore®, Maxim®, Regard™, Seedcare™ and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.
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