The Raichev Brothers chose the combination of insecticide plus microgranulated fertilizer

• Rapid crop establishment
• Protection in early stages of development from a large number of soil pests
• Zero plant loss, at normal sowing density
• Very well established stand, with no lag in crop development

In the spring of 2021 the Raychev brothers relied on a combination of insecticide and granular fertilizer, applied together at the time of maize sowing.

What was the objective?

Many soil insects such as cutworm caterpillars, beetle larvae, wireworms, western corn rootworm, crane flies, flies and other Diptera create problems for grain producers. Not every insecticide can deliver the required effect. But the granular soil-applied insecticide Ercole is something different. It is based on lambda-cyhalothrin. The pyrethroid molecule has a long-lasting action and a repellent effect. It is biologically active even at low doses, acts by contact and ingestion, with a rapid knockdown effect. It is applied only in the furrow at sowing or planting, at a rate of 1–1.5 kg/ha, for the protection of crops from soil-dwelling insects.
“This is the best soil insecticide in Bulgaria,” stated the representative of Summit Agro, Stefan Topalov. According to him, in maize in recent years there has been an increase in attacks by Diabrotica – a pest that until recently was a quarantine organism for our country. Therefore, adequate control of the pest is a guarantee of success in achieving optimal yields. “Ercole is a comprehensive granular soil insecticide that will become established not only in maize, but also in sunflower, oilseed rape, wheat.”

“We have been working with Summit Agro for many years. Over time we have built mutual trust. We had no reservations, no doubts about this insecticide, and we immediately decided to implement it on our large-scale fields,” said one of the two Raychev brothers – Yordan.

On the farmers’ fields, together with Ercole, the microgranular fertilizer Microstar was also applied. It is rapidly absorbed by maize, which is of exceptional importance for the formation of high yield. Microstar provides the possibility, even under expected adverse conditions such as waterlogging and low temperatures, for the plants to develop well. From a technical point of view this is so because the phosphorus is in a readily available form, and the precise method of applying the microgranules together with sowing creates direct contact with the growing roots and from there – rapid uptake of the nutrients – at 100%.

“In Microstar NPZ there are 4 elements – nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur and zinc, which gave exceptional vigour to the crop in the first stages of its development, and Ercole protected the crop from pests. The objective is to obtain a uniformly established stand, which predetermined the high yield,” explained Prof. Tonev. He added that in recent years the phytosanitary situation has been deteriorating and soil pests are increasingly multiplying in areas with monoculture cultivation, which necessitates taking important control measures. In this case Ercole is an excellent alternative for the control of soil pests in the earliest phenological stages of the crop.

RESULTS

During the vegetation period the maize developed excellently. The plants are well nourished, and the stand is free from insects.
Six months after sowing, the Raychev brothers harvested a yield that is very good (with a 30% difference). Ercole and Microstar have done an excellent job.
Summit Agro offers applicators for the precise application of the granular insecticide and the microgranular fertilizer.
Summit Agro provides what every farmer needs – security and reliability.