Also, the rice water weevil (Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus) is a problem. It’s another kind of pest with the same kind of symptoms on roots (consuming roots during the early stage and damaging yield) but this pest is not present in Spain. On the other hand, the rice water weevil is present in Italy and is causing a lot of damage. Then there is the freshwater snail Pomacea insularum, affecting about 8.000 ha, all of them in Delta del Ebro. Growers use potassium soap or other ‘parallel’ solutions and directly seeding rice is needed to control them.
And last but not least, the rice borer (Chilo suppressalis), which is located in Valencia and Delta del Ebro, but also in Aragon. It is mainly controlled by the use of pheromones, which are subsidized by the administration, and have a very good efficacy.
Our product Lumivia is a convenient seed applied insecticide that protects rice seedlings from damage from rice water weevil and chironomids and has demonstrated a very good performance. A majority of growers that are facing these problems, use it, because it protects the roots, helping them to achieve strong, uniform stands This is the only seed applied technology solution right now to face this problem, active at the first stage of plant development, and controlling damage very well. Young plants get off to a good, healthy start leading to secured yields
At the moment, this product is in Europe only registered for rice, but we are working on others crops to take advantage of the spectrum of this technology. In the US for example, Lumivia is already registered in corn and cotton and in the registration process for cereals.
Another product we use is Ympact, which is a growth nutrition seed treatment specifically designed for cereals. Its core technology is based on a molecular complex with humic and fulvic acid like substances and bonded nutrients. The organically complex micronutrients penetrate into the seed faster and easier for a better seedling emergence. It improves and optimizes the root system development and delivers a better nutrient uptake in the early stages.
There is no identified restriction for use of Ympact by farmers, but generally we observe more yield benefits when growing conditions are sub-optimal. Some trials with Ympact have been done in 2020 in Andalucía and are demonstrating very good performance.
We observe higher yields (from 4 to 7% yields increase) thanks to the better implantation of the crops. Tests were done in two types of fields: high and low potential: The results are significative with Ympact, when competition products show benefits only in the most favourable environment. For this reason, Ympact seem to be the best crop enhancer solutions for this huge market, helping the crop to have a good and healthy start, securing yields. Of course, in fields with higher stress, Ympact will force the development, allowing plants to be stronger.
I’d like to add that Ympact doesn’t replace inorganic fertilizers or standard fertilizer programs. It has been created to secure seedling and early plant development, especially in sub optimal situations.
Both products are protecting and making the roots system stronger, Lumivia protecting roots from early attacks of “worms” and Ympact by the stimulation of root development. So yes, we can consider that these two products combined are securing the full development of the plants.
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