Pioneer Hi-Bred now offers corn growers their choice of three seed-applied insecticides on selected Pioneer brand hybrids for the 2004 planting season. The seed-applied insecticides for secondary pests include Cruiser 5FS, Poncho 250 for mid-rate control and Poncho 1250 as the high-rate choice.

Cruiser offers early season corn seedling protection against insects such as wireworm, white grub, seed corn maggot, flea beetle, southern corn leaf beetle and chinch bug, and is labeled for suppression of cutworm.

Poncho 250, which contains a new compound, clothianidin, is the mid-rate option and controls seed and seedling damage from cutworm, wireworm, white grub, seed corn maggot, flea beetle, chinch bug and other pests.

Poncho 1250, the high-rate offering, is available for growers who have a history of challenges from corn rootworm and billbug. It also offers early season control of black cutworm, wireworm, white grub, seed corn maggot, flea beetle and chinch bug.

The treatments arrive at the farm, on the seed and in the bag, says Pioneer. For more information check the Web at www.pioneer.com.