Plant protection is as essential for plants as medical treatment is for humans. In fact, the goal is the same: to treat a condition or occurrence (e.g. virus, parasites, bacteria, or weeds) and the related symptoms, so as to achieve optimal quality and quantity.
Two types of plant protection treatment are available: - preventive treatments: these can protect against attacks, e.g. parasites, in high-risk high-prevalence areas - curative treatments: once the disease has been identified (via the symptoms), these treatments can deal with both the source of the problem and the symptoms. Three groups of plant protection products are used for field crops: - herbicides - insecticides - fungicides The main problem for maize is weed-killing, although pest control has become increasingly important, particularly as more and more pests are being found and in larger numbers and over larger areas, perhaps, at least in part, because of global warming.
Farmers therefore make choices depending on the climate, pest pressure and actions needed to protect the crops.
Very strict rules apply to plant protection treatment, with a large number of inspections and extensive monitoring, checking both the products and the way they are used, and even whether they actually need to be used.
Combinations
A procedure was introduced in 2003 in response to the need to “legalise” combinations of plant protection products used by farmers. The procedure, which only grants temporary authorisation for use, pending a more extensive study of combinations by the French national committee on toxicity, is very lengthy, requiring extensive and substantial reports. By May 5, 2004, 1 116 combinations of herbicides had been authorised for maize. The list of combinations is available on the ARVALIS Web site: www.arvalisinstitutduvegetal.fr
Seed Treatment
Fipronil and Gaucho were banned in 2004. The decision on Gaucho applied to maize only (as it had already been banned for use on sunflower). This now puts maize in a difficult position as no other solution is available, in particular for the click beetle, a soil-borne insect that attacks maize.
Diabrotica
Diabrotica moved into France in 2002 and is a major concern for the maize sector. There is little in the way of active products and authorised doses to deal with this highly resistant insect which has already caused extensive damage in the USA and Eastern Europe (Serbia and Hungary) and is now making rapid advances in Italy. Diabrotica was first found in France in 2002 in the Paris region (near Orly and Roissy airports) and in 2003 in Alsace (near Basle-Mulhouse airport).
Combinations 