Control of some sunflower pests by seed treatment

During 2000 and 2002, several assays were carried out to study efficacy of insecticide treatment of sunflower seeds against soil pests (larvae of the Elateridae and Scarabaeidae families) and the corn weevil (Tanymecus dilaticollis Gyll). Used in the trials were the following insecticides thiamethoxam, thiamethoxam + tefluthrin, carboturan, fipronil and imidacloprid, and in first year granulated forat and liquid carbosulfan lindan. The parameters for evaluation of insecticides efficacy were stand density and the percentage of plants damaged by corn weevil. Majority of tested insecticides provided significantly higher stand density in relation to untreated control, so that can be used for dressing of sunflower seeds against soil pests under modest to middle populations. The most prospective are thiamethoxam, imidacloprid and carbofuran, that contain systemic properties and can protect young plants from pests of the above ground during early spring.