Recent university and company data demonstrates that Mycogen® brand hybrids with Herculex® RW Rootworm Protection and Herculex XTRA Insect Protection, from Dow AgroSciences, provide significantly better protection than corn rootworm (CRW) insecticides, seed treatments or other Bt traits.

Proof is in the data

Recent trials conducted by the University of Illinois tested corn rootworm control products under significant corn rootworm larval pressure at three sites.

According to the university’s initial summary, Mycogen brand hybrids with Herculex RW had significantly lower node injury ratings and performed more consistently than the YieldGard Rootworm hybrid. There are also strong indications that variant western corn rootworms may be more aggressive root feeders and are less susceptible to the Bt protein expressed by YieldGard Rootworm hybrids, according to the university’s report.

“The Bt proteins which control rootworms in Herculex RW Rootworm Protection and Herculex XTRA Insect Protection are maintained throughout the larval life cycle of the Western, Northern and Mexican rootworms,” states Terry Gardner, Grain Corn Marketing Specialist, Mycogen Seeds. “Therefore, Herculex RW and Herculex XTRA provide excellent protection against late-season corn rootworm feeding.” 

Root ratings from the University of Illinois showed a differential advantage for Herculex® XTRA Insect Protection versus the YieldGard® RW in-plant trait at its Urbana location where CRW pressure has historically been severe. On July 17, Herculex XTRA had a root rating of 0.47 versus 0.96 for YieldGard RW. On August 8, the Herculex XTRA root rating was just 0.38 versus 1.46 for YieldGard RW (representing pruning of nearly 1½ node of roots).

In the University of Illinois’ report on the CRW root ratings*, the Extension authors wrote: “We are particularly concerned about the level of rootworm larval damage to the YieldGard Rootworm hybrid in Urbana. Corn plants are much more susceptible to lodging when one or more nodes of roots have been pruned.”

To see the detailed reports from the University of Illinois studies, visit www.CornCentral.com.

As in the University of Illinois trials, preliminary data from Dow AgroSciences and external research trials are also demonstrating the reduction in root feeding when compared to alternative rootworm control methods. In the company CRW trials, hybrids with Herculex RW and Herculex XTRA had an impressive root system, says Maynard Ochs, Product Development Agronomist, Mycogen Seeds. “The Mycogen brand hybrids with Herculex RW and Herculex XTRA didn’t lodge, but the other rootworm control products like high-rate seed treatments and soil insecticides did,” he adds.

The strong root system on Mycogen® brand Herculex® RW and Herculex XTRA hybrids can also be attributed to their success in dry conditions.

 “In extreme dryland regions, the hybrids with Herculex RW and XTRA performed very well this year. We believe this is due to the strong roots, giving the plant better stability in drought conditions,” Ochs says.

 “Further studies comparing root mass and yield results of the various rootworm control methods will be completed later in the year. These will confirm the unequalled performance of the Herculex family of traits,” Gardner says.

Mycogen Seeds is a retail seed company of Dow AgroSciences LLC and a developer and marketer of leading grain corn hybrids, the market leader in Silage-Specific™ corn hybrids and sunflower hybrids, as well as an industry leader in canola, alfalfa, soybeans and sorghum.

Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, is a top-tier agricultural company providing innovative crop protection, seeds and biotechnology solutions to serve the world’s growing population. A wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, global sales for Dow AgroSciences are $3.4 billion.

* www.ipm.uiuc.edu/bulletin/article.php?id=613 

®™Mycogen, the Mycogen Logo and Silage-Specific are trademarks of Mycogen Corporation. 
®Herculex is a registered trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC
®YieldGard is a registered trademark of Monsanto Company.
©2006 Mycogen Seeds. Mycogen Seeds is an affiliate of Dow AgroSciences LLC.
Herculex Insect Protection technology by Dow AgroSciences and Pioneer Hi-Bred.