Evaluación de insecticidas curasemillas en colza

The cultivation of canola has increased its relevance within agricultural systems in Uruguay. During crop establishment, several pests represent a limitation to proper stand development. One management strategy commonly used is the application of seed treatment insecticides, which enable early-stage pest control while reducing, due to their mode of application, the impact on non-target organisms. However, there is concern regarding potential phytotoxic effects on seeds, as well as the effectiveness of pest control under different environmental conditions. In this study, three seed treatment insecticides were evaluated: thiodicarb (Lider 30 SC), cyantraniliprole (Cinatra 60 FS), and clothianidin (Clothiex 600 FS), applied to canola seeds (cv. Nuvette 2286). Controlled-environment assays were conducted to determine germination percentage at 0, 4, 10, and 20 days after treatment, and field experiments (at two sowing dates) were carried out to assess the effectiveness of pest control during crop establishment. Results indicated that none of the evaluated seed treatments exhibited phytotoxic effects on germination, with all values remaining above the commercial standard (80%). The duration of contact with the insecticides slightly influenced germination, showing a significant decrease at 20 days after treatment; however, values remained above 80%, thus meeting commercialization standards. In field trials, the low pest incidence prevented the evaluation of control efficacy, likely due to climatic factors regulating pest populations. The information provided is useful for selecting seed treatment insecticides in canola, emphasizing the importance of considering application rate, environmental conditions, and storage time of treated seeds.