Seed Treatment: Ensuring A Healthy Crop Stand

Seed Treatment


 Seed treatment has become an important initial step in modern agriculture for ensuring crops establish properly and maximize yield potential. By protecting seeds from disease, insects and other threats early in the germination process, farmers can have more confidence their seeds will develop into healthy, productive plants.


WHAT IS SEED TREATMENT?

Seed Treatment involves applying plant protection products such as fungicides, insecticides and inoculants directly onto seeds before planting. This coats the exterior of seeds with precisely measured active ingredients that control or prevent diseases, insects or other issues during germination and the early seedling growth stages. Seed treatment works preventatively by protecting seeds as soon as they come in contact with soil, weeds or foliage where pathogens may be present. It ensures seeds have the best possible start for establishing healthy root and shoot systems.

METHODS OF APPLICATION

There are a few primary methods used to treat seeds:

- Fluid drilling involves mixing seeds with liquid treatment in a drum coater or rotary seed treater that evenly and accurately coats each seed. Precision meters ensure consistent application of products.
- Slurry involves making a paste or slurry of treatment products that is then applied to seed using a centrifuge.
- Dusting applies dry powder or granular products to seed using a dust-on applicator that adheres ingredients to seed surfaces.
- On-farm application allows treatment of small volumes of seed on the go at planting using small batch treaters attached to planters/drills.

Proper calibration and even coating are important for seed treatment to be effective. New precision technologies continue to improve application uniformity.

DISEASE AND INSECT CONTROL

One of the biggest benefits of seed treatment is early protection from soil and seed-borne diseases. Fungicides applied at planting can control key pathogens that commonly affect germination and early growth like Pythium, Fusarium, Rhizoctonia and others. This provides a prophylactic barrier, preventing infection even when soils are highly conducive for disease development.

Insects are also a major target. Insecticides applied as seed treatments combat wireworm, seedcorn maggot, aphids and other pests that can debilitate or kill emerging seedlings. This protects stands until plants are robust enough to withstand early-season insect feeding.

Some newer treatment options provide dual activity, controlling both disease and insects from one application. Combining multiple modes of action covers a broader spectrum of potential threats.

ENHANCED ESTABLISHMENT AND YIELDS

By protecting seeds at planting, seed treatment results in more uniform emergence and robust early growth. Stands become established faster with less initial plant loss to soil pests and pathogens. Healthy emerging roots can better access water and nutrients for optimal plant development.

Ultimately, this improved early vigor translates to higher yields at harvest. Numerous university trials have demonstrated seed treatment increases average crop yields by 5-10% compared to untreated seeds. Return on investment from seed treatment often exceeds costs within just one or two growing seasons through higher revenue generated by additional bushels or bales.

INOCULANTS FOR NUTRIENT UPTAKE

In addition to plant protection products, some seed treatments contain inoculants like rhizobia bacteria, mycorrhizal fungi or other beneficial microbes. When applied to legume seeds, rhizobia naturally fix atmospheric nitrogen into a form plants can absorb for growth. Mycorrhizal fungi form symbiotic relationships that increase roots’ capacity to take up water andphosphorus.

Inoculating seeds at planting ensures crops get a healthy early start establishing nutrient relationships compared to field or post-plant application methods. Nutrient boosts aid crop development throughout the season. Inoculated seeds along with fertilizer often provide the most comprehensive approach for plant nutrition.

CONVENIENCE AND PRECISION

Modern seed treatment streamlines the crop establishment process. By chemically protecting seeds upfront, there’s no need for multiple field applications of soil or foliar inputs later that require extra time, equipment and expense. Planting pretreated seeds also ensures uniform application compared to variable in-furrow or broadcast treatments.

Precision technology within seed treatment equipment precisely meters small volumes of potent active ingredients onto each seed for consistent, economical dosing. Digital controls allow mixing customized treatment recipes as needed. On-farm batch treaters further boost convenience by applying product right at planting.

QUALITY CONTROL AND SAFETY

Stringent quality control standards within the seed treatment industry ensure products are handled and applied properly per labeled instructions. Mandatory worker protection protocols minimize exposure during the treatment process.

Treated seed must be thoroughly dried and consolidated before bagging to safeguard active ingredients remain securely adhered. Correctly applied commercial seed treatments do not pose risk to the environment, consumers or livestock when used as intended for agricultural purposes. Proper management, storage and planting of treated seed are important to maintain its integrity.

MOVING FORWARD

As agricultural challenges continue to intensify globally, seed treatment technology will remain a vital crop production practice. Developments improving application uniformity and product efficacy will maintain seed treatment’s role safeguarding early plant health. Combining treatment with other integrated pest management tactics creates multilayered protection for optimizing stand establishment and yield potential every season.

precisely applied seed treatments provide comprehensive, convenient early-season crop safeguards against pests, pathogens and nutrient deficiencies. By ensuring fields start with productive, vigorous plants, seed treatment secures the foundation for sustainable productivity and profitability now and in the future.

For more details on the report, Read- Seed Treatment

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