Thiamethoxam may become the next hot topic!

Release Date:

2021-06-07

In the past, Bayer’s innovative imidacloprid seed‑treatment technology, with its proven efficacy in disease and pest control as well as root‑growth promotion, spearheaded the field‑crop seed‑treatment market for two remarkable decades. Today, more than 150 imidacloprid‑based seed‑treatment products have been registered domestically, making it the most mature and widely accepted active ingredient in this segment. So, amid today’s severe product homogenization, which compound will become the next driving force behind the evolution of insecticidal seed treatments? Without a doubt, if a vote were held, thiamethoxam would be the clear frontrunner.

First, nicotinic products will continue to be the mainstream in seed‑treatment insecticides. Between 2018 and 2020, a total of 49 products were registered for the control of wireworms or grubs, with 48 of them belonging to the neonicotinoid class. Among these neonicotinoid products, imidacloprid, clothianidin, and thiamethoxam accounted for the largest share of registrations. Notably, thiamethoxam demonstrates particularly strong efficacy against underground pests, making it a key focus of strategic investment by agrochemical companies.

Second, compared with thiamethoxam, clothianidin, and imidacloprid, it belongs to the second generation of neonicotinoid insecticides. The principal structural differences between thiamethoxam and imidacloprid are as follows: first, the pyridine moiety is replaced by a chlorothiazole group; second, the nitromethylene fragment is substituted with a nitroimino group. The methyl group at the 5-position enhances activity against piercing‑sucking pests, while the 2‑chloro‑5‑thiazolyl heterocycle exhibits greater efficacy against chewing‑mouthpart pests. This is also a key reason why the number of thiamethoxam registrations has been steadily increasing in recent years.

Third, thiamethoxam is not readily leached from the soil and exhibits a long residual activity. This makes thiamethoxam less susceptible to degradation in the soil, resulting in higher utilization and a longer residual efficacy compared with clothianidin and imidacloprid. According to trials, its residual activity can last up to 30 days when applied as a foliar spray and up to six months when used for soil treatment.

Fourth, it exhibits strong systemic translocation, effectively controlling both aboveground and belowground pests, and delivers twice the efficacy when used for seed treatment. This advantage of thiacloprid, similar to that of imidacloprid, surpasses that of clothianidin, giving it broad application prospects in markets such as peanuts, wheat, and rice.

Fifth, and most importantly, is safety. Thio. The toxicity of this insecticide to environmental insects, such as bees, has been significantly reduced, making it safer for crops and more reassuring to use; in the future, there will be no need to worry about restrictions or bans.

Source: Agricultural Inputs Herald

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