Ensuring season-long sunflower health is a priority for any sunflower grower. The expansive sunflower protection portfolio from FMC is built to help growers at every stage of the growing season and deliver broad-spectrum control.
With solutions that include at-plant products, insecticides, fungicides and herbicides, FMC has tools to address the most pressing crop protection challenges that threaten sunflower quality and yields.
Herbicide Options
Aim® EC herbicide, Anthem® Flex herbicide, Authority® Elite herbicide, Authority® Supreme herbicide, Authority® Edge herbicide, Express® herbicide with TotalSol® soluble granules and Spartan® Charge herbicide are among the key options for sunflower weed control. This herbicide portfolio offers tools that can be applied during the preemergent and postemergent stages. The long-lasting residual control of Authority brand herbicides and the foliar activity of Aim EC herbicide and Express herbicide provide effective control of yield-threatening kochia and other broadleaf weeds.
Authority Supreme herbicide contains the newest Group 15 molecule, pyroxasulfone, allowing it to target a wide weed spectrum with long residual preemergent control for sunflowers. To increase its capabilities, Ryan Hunt, FMC technical service manager, recommends tank mixing Aim EC herbicide, ammonium sulfate (AMS) and methylated seed oil (MSO) with Authority Supreme herbicide to enhance kochia control.
“Tankmixing AMS, MSO and Aim EC herbicide in with your Authority and Spartan brand herbicides is almost as important as following the labels nowadays,” Hunt explains. “Starting clean is a priority for any grower. The AMS or MSO is especially needed if weeds are present shortly before, during or up to 3 days after planting.”
Tools to Manage Disease and Insects – Below and Above the Surface
Now in time for the 2022 season, Capture® LFR® insecticide and Ethos® XB insecticide/fungicide are now labeled for use in sunflowers at-plant. These solutions operate below ground, but have an impact that lead to a healthier plant flourishing above the surface.
Ethos XB insecticide/fungicide delivers disease protection beyond the two to three week period when seed treatments are typically most effective. This is due to the use of the BaD747 microbial active ingredient. BaD747 works to colonize on roots by forming a biofilm and barrier to outcompete pathogens. As spores germinate and colonize on roots, antifungal metabolites are secreted and influence the cell membrane and wall integrity of certain pathogens, including Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Fusarium and Phytophthora.
Beyond the protection from soilborne pests and pathogens, Ethos XB insecticide/fungicide has a positive effect on the physiology of a sunflower plant. In FMC and university-led trials, the additional protection provided by this solution not only exceeds the results of a seed treatment alone but aids in creating:
- More even stands whose rows close earlier to help control weeds.
- Stronger stands allow every seedling the opportunity to become a productive plant.
- Fuller root system optimizes nutrient uptake.
- Deeper root systems reach farther for available nutrients and water.
- Healthier plants overall maximize yield potential and are better prepared to defend against stress created by the growing environment.
Currently, the FMC sunflower at-plant portfolio includes Capture LFR insecticide, Capture® 3RIVE 3D® insecticide, Ethos XB insecticide/fungicide and Ethos 3D insecticide/fungicide. The liquid fertilizer ready (LFR) products mix readily with liquid fertilizers to provide consistent active ingredient distribution throughout the solution. The 3D products are applied via the 3RIVE 3D application system that applies a foam, which expands in the furrow for increased coverage in the planting zone.
Regarding foliar insect management, the recent chlorpyrifos ban is not stopping growers’ ability to manage pests in the field, especially with the variety of effective solutions the FMC portfolio offers. Mustang® Maxx insecticide is a leading tool in controlling sunflower moth, banded sunflower moth and red sunflower seed weevil. It utilizes pyrethroid chemistry to target unwanted pests. In addition, FMC offers Vantacor® insect control powered by Rynaxapyr® active to control Lepidopteran pests and grasshoppers. These solutions are useful tools with 14+ days of residual coverage and act as rotation partners in helping stem insecticide resistance development.
Capture 3D insecticide, Capture LFR insecticide, Ethos 3D insecticide/fungicide, Ethos XB insecticide/fungicide and Mustang Maxx insecticide are Restricted Use Pesticides. Always read and follow all label directions, precautions and restrictions for use. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states. Vantacor insect control may not be registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your local FMC retailer or representative for details and availability in your state. FMC, the FMC logo, 3RIVE 3D, Aim, Authority, Capture, Ethos, Express, LFR, Mustang, Rynaxypyr, Spartan, TotalSol and Vantacor are trademarks of FMC Corporation or an affiliate. ©2022 FMC Corporation. All rights reserved. 21-FMC-3002 03/22
