Rice seed treatments: Icon alternatives still mostly caught in regulatory limbo

Extension workers in rice states continue to scramble for a replacement for Icon, a rice seed treatment pulled from the market a couple of years ago after environmental concerns came to light. The product was extremely effective for the control of lespediza worms (aka grape colaspis), and its loss was sorely felt by producers in areas -- like the Grand Prairie of Arkansas -- where the pest can cause significant stand and yield loss in some fields.

At least 3 new products are in the wings, and some states have had better luck in gaining some form of registration than others.

In a report in the current issue of Arkansas Rice, "obtaining registration of these products by the
EPA is a process that has been slow and rocky," says Gus Lorenz, the state's Extension IPM Coordinator.

Lorenz details progress on trying to gain more rice seed treatment options for the state and gives an overview on the 3 products on the table.

Click here to download the report.

-- Owen Taylor