does acephate (Orthene) affect seeds

[LeftyRighty]

I tried bagging buds/flowers last year, and had a severe problem with worms eating seeds in the bud. So, on other later flowering varieties, I soaked the buds (before flowering) with acephate (Orthene) before bagging, and again about 2+ weeks later after flower drop.

Everything seemed OK, got lots of seed, 3 different strains.

Early this spring, I test germinated the seeds -- zero germination, nada, nothing.
Really disappointing. Guess I'm lucky to still have saved seed from previous years and bought some new seed to try.

I didn't try to bag for seeds this year – still too distraught from last year.
So, I’ll have to procure new seed for next year’s 2012 crop.

But next year, I am going to give the ‘saving seed’ another try.
Have been reviewing all the forums/posts on the subject, and can’t see where/what I did wrong. I think I did everything correctly, and should have viable seed.

The only variable may be the use of acephate.
Data on this stuff says nothing about affecting seed viability.
Anybody have info on this?

 

[Jitterbugdude]

Well, I'm gonna guess, based on the following Abstract from "Seed and Soil"

The systemic insecticides Acephate, Chlorpyrifos, and Oxamyl were variously toxic toPinus halepensis seeds and seedlings. When applied directly to seeds. Oxyamyl completely suppressed germination; Acetate and Chlorpyrifos greatly inhibited germination. The insecticides either prevented emergence or inhibited elongation of cotyledons and radicals. The insecticides were toxic to youngPinus halepensis seedlings whether applied to the soil or as shoot dips.

 

[LeftyRighty]

thanks,
guess I'll use Spinosad (if I can find it) or Bt next year.
I don't think Safer soap will stop those bugs.

 

[LeftyRighty]

Jitterbugdude....
maybe you can find another answer on acephate for me...
I've goooogle, and read all the manufacturer's and researcher's reports, and have never found anything clear on this.

They report half-life of 3 to7 to 10 to 14 to as much as 30 days on the degradation of acephate, but they don’t say if this degradation continues after the plant dies, i.e., does it continue to degrade at the reported half-life after curing, fermenting, aging/storing.

If it does, then I figure the stuff is adequately safe to use, assuming it degrades to inert or harmless molecules; although, organic always seems safer.

Using 10-14 day half life, I’m down to parts-per-billon after 3 to 4 months or more.
It should be virtually impossible to detect anything harmful after a year’s storage.


Don’t necessarily like using pesticides/insecticides, but this stuff is so much effective against hornworms, army worms, budworms, aphids, etc.