Milling Journal

Editor's note: This article provided by Dow AgroScience

INDIANAPOLIS (March 3, 2010) -- Three years of field trials for SmartStax™ conducted by Dow AgroSciences have demonstrated solid yield performance paired with consistent and effective insect control in corn. New 2009 data, as well as data averaged over the past three years, show SmartStax hybrids provide a yield advantage, as well as effective control against a broad spectrum of corn insects, including western bean cutworm (WBCW).

SmartStax provides multiple modes of action for above- and below-ground insect control. The technology was recently registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is available for planting this season.

Dow AgroSciences will offer SmartStax through its seed company affiliates, which include Mycogen Seeds, Dairyland Seed, Renze Seeds, Brodbeck Seeds, Triumph Seed, Pfister Seeds and Hyland Seeds.

No Compromise on Yield
In the presence of insect pressure — above-ground, below-ground or both — SmartStax demonstrates a yield advantage over conventional hybrids. Yield studies conducted in multiple states demonstrated an average of 11 bu./A yield advantage compared with non-Bt hybrids under minimal insect pressure. The SmartStax™ hybrids display consistent, high yield, even in the absence of insect pressure.

“Under intense insect pressure, the yield advantage would be expected to be higher,” says Kevin Steffey, insect management technology transfer specialist for Dow AgroSciences. “The message for growers is that SmartStax technology is only available in high-yielding hybrids. The multiple modes of action provide peace of mind that these elite hybrids are protected from the most damaging corn insects. And, because of the multiple modes of action, the EPA is allowing a 5 percent structured refuge in the Corn Belt — a substantial reduction from the traditional 20 percent required for first-generation Bt hybrids. The insect protection and increased yield provided by SmartStax hybrids add up to a true economic advantage for corn growers.”

“SmartStax allows growers to achieve more yield on more acres. With first-generation Bt hybrids, growers could experience more yield on 80 percent of their acres, but by selecting hybrids with SmartStax, they now can experience more yield on 95 percent of their acres,” says Jim Parks, North American traits and product development leader for Dow AgroSciences. “Our research continues to demonstrate solid performance, and we are eager for our growers to experience SmartStax hybrids from the Dow AgroSciences brands in their fields this year.”

No Mercy for Key Corn Insects
“As corn insects continue to expand their ranges into new territories, additional growers will find a need for the full spectrum of insect protection provided by SmartStax,” says Bill Hendrix, Dow AgroSciences North America biology team leader for insect management traits.

"One insect of particular concern is the western bean cutworm,” he says. “Corn growers as far east as Indiana, Michigan and New York state have reported damage from WBCW. As the insect continues to appear in new areas, more growers will realize the value of the built-in protection of SmartStax. Our data continues to show solid protection against WBCW, as well as other key corn insects.”

Studies in 2009 showed SmartStax™ hybrids provided excellent protection against WBCW compared with first-generation Bt hybrids and non-Bt hybrids. Efficacy data averaged over three years demonstrated similar control.

Dow AgroSciences conducted additional trials to measure corn rootworm control with SmartStax. The results showed that, even under intense insect pressure, SmartStax offers the most consistent protection when compared with other trait combinations. SmartStax hybrids consistently demonstrated no economic damage from corn rootworm (see Figure D).

Additional trials conducted by Dow AgroSciences showed consistent control of corn earworm, black cutworm and fall armyworm.

Learn more at www.dowagro.com.

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