The main purpose of the seed dressing procedure before planting is to suppress or destroy the infection contained in them or in the soil. Very often, special fungicidal preparations are used for this purpose . In another way, such agents are also called disinfectants. The use of drugs of this group allows you to protect the seeds from both external and internal infections. Actually, fungicidal formulations themselves are produced by modern industry. For example, the Maxim disinfectant, supplied to the market by the Sigent company, received quite good reviews.
A little about the manufacturer
The well-known Swiss company Sigenta was established in 2000 as a result of the merger of agro-industrial branches of pharmaceutical corporations Novartis AG and AstraZeneca Plc. The head office of this company is in the city of Basel. The main specialization of the Sigenta company is the manufacture and delivery to the market of preparations intended specifically for seed disinfection, as well as protecting the plants themselves from various infections. In addition to fungicides, this company also produces insecticides, herbicides, growth stimulants and agrochemicals.
Scope of use
The “Maxim” protectant is a combined agent designed to protect seeds of grains, legumes and various industrial crops from infection by fungal spores. It can be used to prevent the development of infections caused by:
- Aksomitsetov class mushrooms;
- Basidiomycetes.
Also, this tool can be used to disinfect planting material from spores of various kinds of imperfect mushrooms.
The composition and form of the dressing agent
The main active ingredient of the drug "Maxim" is fludioxonil. This substance belongs to the class of new phenylpyrrole chemicals. That is, the drug has a mechanism of action on pathogens different from other similar drugs that were released earlier. The fungicide "Maxim" is supplied to the market by the company "Sigent" in the form of a suspension. In addition to the basic one-component form, the company also produces several more popular varieties of this fungicide:
- two-component "Star", XL, KC, "Extreme";
- three-component "Forte".
In addition, for the processing of planting material, the more expensive treater “Maxim Plus” can also be used. The composition of this tool is two-component.
What plants can be used
Actually, the main form of the drug "Maxim" is used to etch planting material of the following agricultural crops:
- potatoes;
- winter wheat, rye and triticale;
- peas and corn;
- sunflower and cotton;
- lawn mixtures and decorative bulbs;
- flax flax.
Potatoes and onions with this tool can be processed both before planting and before bookmarking for storage.
The form of the Star preparation is mainly used for the treatment of winter triticale and wheat, as well as spring barley. The treating agent "Maxim XL" is used to disinfect only corn seeds. The Plus form is intended for wheat and barley. In the latter case, it can only be used for spring varieties.
Protravitel "Maxim Forte" is also used to disinfect wheat and barley. However, it can additionally be used for processing planting material of winter forms of both crops. The form of Extreme is intended to protect several types of cereals. With its use, seeds of wheat, oats, rye, barley are processed.
Protravitel "Maxim": application instruction
The technology for using the main form of the drug is quite simple. Maxim is delivered to the market in the form of a concentrated solution. To process it, you just need to dilute it with water. The amount of the latter in this case depends on the type of seed being treated. Actually, the processing itself can be carried out both by soaking and spraying.
So, for example, for potatoes, the treating agent "Maxim" is used in the form of a solution prepared in the proportion of 7.5 ml of the drug per 100 ml of water. Processing in this case is done by spraying. The resulting amount of working solution should be used to dress approximately 10 kg of tubers. It is recommended to spread the potatoes themselves before processing evenly on a plastic film.
Crop seeds are also usually sprayed. But in this case, use 100 ml of the drug per 0.7 l of water. This amount of working solution is enough to dress about 70 kg of seeds.
Bulbs of ornamental crops in the preparation "Maxim" are usually soaked. In this case, 4 ml of the drug is dissolved in 2 liters of water. Planting material of gladioli, tulips, lilies, etc., is placed in the resulting solution for about half an hour immediately before planting.
Rules for the preparation of working solution
Dissolve seed treating agent "Maxim" in water should be correct - in compliance with all safety standards. In large agricultural enterprises, this procedure is performed as follows:
- first, half the right amount of water is added to the tank of the pickling machine;
- include a stirrer;
- add the necessary amount of Maxim to the water;
- if necessary, add additional compatible presowing preparations to the solution;
- add the remaining water to the tank.
The mixing device is supposed to be left on for the entire period of preparation of the solution, as well as the actual processing of planting material. Otherwise, sedimentation of the particles of the drug can lead to a decrease in the effectiveness of its action.
The ready-to-use working solution of the “Maxim” treater is prescribed for use within 24 hours. All containers used in its preparation and seed dressing should be washed. The water remaining after this procedure may be used to knead new portions of the solution.
What specific diseases does it protect against?
Prepared in strict accordance with the instructions for use, the working solution of the treating agent "Maxim" has a pronounced immunomodulating effect. Seeds treated with this product germinate evenly and quickly. At the same time, potato tubers become much more resistant to late blight. “Maxim”, among other things, is the only product on the market that can control such a disease of this widespread culture as silver scab.
Cereals this drug perfectly protects against root rot, snow mold, ergot, and smut. It does not allow the development of such diseases "Maxim" on corn. In this case, it can also be used to prevent the development of stem rot.
Application benefits
Reviews from farmers drug "Maxim" earned only good. According to agricultural workers, this tool, among other things, has the following advantages:
- ease of use;
- duration of action;
- the possibility of long-term storage of planting material;
- the possibility of use in combination with almost any other drugs intended for integrated plant protection.
The usability of the Maxim treater is determined primarily by its liquid concentrated form of release. When mixing the solution, this tool, like many others like it, does not dust. As a result, its overspending becomes impossible. In addition, the degree of its harmful effect on the body of the etching people is reduced.
Actually, the planting material itself, thanks to a well-thought-out formula, the drug "Maxim" covers as evenly as possible. At the same time, it is well fixed both on hydrophobic and hydrophilic areas of seeds.
Instructions for use for indoor plants
Most often, this drug is used, of course, for the processing of planting material of garden and agricultural crops. However, at the same time, the “Maxim” agent is also the only protectant today that is approved for use in growing indoor plants.
A product intended for this purpose is available in ampoules or bottles with a capacity of 2 to 40 ml. The treatment of the roots, seeds and bulbs of indoor plants with this preparation during planting or transplanting can significantly reduce the risk of flower diseases such as rhizoctonia and fusariosis.
For etching, in this case, a solution is usually prepared in a proportion of 4 ml of the product in 2 liters of water. The manufacturer recommends mixing the composition as thoroughly as possible. One liter of the finished solution of the drug "Maxim" in most cases is used to process one kilogram of planting material of indoor plants.
Storage rules
The third hazard class is the Maxim treater. That is, if used improperly, it can harm both the people doing the work and the plants. Therefore, the instructions for the use of this tool should be followed exactly. The same goes for chemical storage. Store this tool should also be subject to some manufacturer's recommendations. They store Maxim cans and packages in a separate room (or in the pantry), restricting access to fungicide for children and animals. In direct sunlight, as well as with high humidity, store this drug is not allowed.