Effect of formulation on toxicity to plants and insects of some systemic insecticidal seed dressings

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Abstract
Wheat, mustard and sugar beet seeds were treated with dressings containing certain systemic insecticides and various stickers and fillers. Activated carbon, polyvinyl acetate emulsion and a chlorinated diphenyl resin lessened the toxicity of the insecticides to seedlings grown in sand. Polyethylene glycol ethers and polyvinyl alcohol solution also had some effect. Carbon and polyvinyl acetate prolonged the period of systemic action of “Thimet” against the mustard beetle Phaedon cochleariae F. and the bird‐cherry aphid Rhopalosiphum padi (L.). Mustard plants grown from seed treated with γ‐BHC formulated with these materials were slow to attain their maximum insecticidal activity. These effects are attributed to the initial absorption of insecticide by the sticker or filler and its subsequent slow release. Formulations permitting the slow release of insecticides have a practical use because they can combine low phytotoxicity with a long persistence of systemic insecticidal activity.