Seed Treatment

Seed Treatment & Its Different Aspects

Seed treatment consists of applying chemical and/or biological pesticides to the seeds. The objective is to suppress, control or ward off fungi, insects or other pests that attack seeds, seedlings and plants.

It is one of the Good Agronomic Practices that should be adopted to prevent these attacks in the early stages of farming. The technique enhances the genetics of the seed, contributing to the preservation of biotechnology in the field.

Combined with other practices, seed treatment can guarantee record harvests that have been producing year after year. With little need for investment, this practice has great benefits.

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Importance Of Seed Treatment

Seed treatment prevents the entry of pests into cultivated areas. It is of great importance in the development of healthy and vigorous plants. This practice protects the seed from initial contact with the soil until the beginning of plant growth. That is, protection occurs before, during and after germination.

Thus, seeds that could be threatened by diseases, pests, or even climatic interference can grow more substantial, with more uniform germination and better rooting. All of this is reversed in productivity.

Considering Insect Resistance Management (MRI), seed treatment assists in the establishment of plants in areas of refuge. In addition, it serves as a different mode of action for pest control in areas with Bt culture in the initial stage of crop development.

There is little care when it comes to ensuring the safety of plants against pests and diseases. Without proper treatment, seeds can spread pests and diseases that affect crops, compromising production. This represents losses in the field and, consequently, in profitability as a whole.

In addition to protection against pests and diseases, the treatment of seeds with the appropriate product affects the physiology of the plant—for example, better rooting, faster initial start-up and more uniform germination.

How Seed Treatment Is Done

Basically, seed treatment is done with fungicides and insecticides. But, in addition to these, other products can be used. Examples include:

· Micronutrients

· Inoculants

· Herbicide protection agents

· Growth regulators

· Seed coatings

· Dyes

· Others

Seed treatment can be done in two ways: on the farm or in the industry (Seed Industrial Treatment - TIS). In both cases, it is recommended to follow Good Seed Treatment Practices.

A Good Harvest Begins With A Good Seed

On-Farm

If the seed treatment is carried out on the farm, the producer must be aware of the following points:

· Make sure that the product used in the procedure is registered for the seeds of the crop to be treated: an unregistered product can even harm the seed;

· Observe the characteristics of the products to be used: give preference to those that have a low volume of syrup and good adhesion to the seed;

· Give preference to products that combine fungicides and insecticides in one formula;

· Choose the chemical correctly according to the treatment objective: products with a broad spectrum of action control a greater number of pests;

· Follow the instructions on the product package insert and on the Chemicals Safety Information Sheets (FISPQ), prepared following Technical Norm 14.725;

· Make sure that the application equipment is calibrated;

· Use specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE);

· Be in a safe place in relation to the environment, people and animals.

What Is An MSDS?

The Chemical Safety Data Sheets give all information about a chemical. MSDS serve as the basis for labels and cannot be substituted for them. See some of them below.

· Product and company name;

· Existing dangers;

· Composition and information about ingredients;

· First aid actions;

· Fire fighting measures;

· Control measures for spillage or leakage;

· Handling and storage;

· Exposure control and personal protection;

· Physical and chemical properties;

· Stability and reactivity;

· Toxicological information.

Seed Farming

Seed Importance

Industrial Seed Treatment (TIS)

Industrial seed treatment (TIS) is part of the stages of seed processing in several companies. It is a process that consists of automated applications using high-tech equipment.

This treatment has some advantages over conventional treatment (on-farm):

· The volume of syrup (dosage) of pesticide used for seed treatment is more accurate;

· The seed receives better coverage with the product;

· There is less risk of poisoning by operators, therefore, safer;

· It presents greater efficiency and higher yield per hour (there are machines on the market capable of treating up to 30 tons of seeds per hour);

· Greater practicality since the seeds purchased are already ready for use. Most companies that sell seeds carry out the treatment in the pre-bagging or at the time of delivery of the seeds to the producer.

According to data from the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), only 40% of seed treatment is carried out industrially. But according to specialists, this number tends to increase, mainly due to the practicality and security of the producer.

The treated seed is used only for planting and cannot be used in human or animal food.

Benefits Of Seed Treatment

The benefits of seed treatment reach production as a whole - from planting to harvest. Among these:

· Controls pests extensively;

· Protects the genetic potential of the variety that the producer chose to plant, including those that have Bt technology;

· Helps in the establishment of non-Bt plants in areas of agricultural refuge;

· Provides the establishment of the crop stand (adequate number of plants for a given area);

· It positively influences the physiology of the plant (better rooting, more uniform germination and greater resistance to nematodes);

· It presents low investment cost;

· Helps to achieve greater productivity.

Main Pests And Diseases That Are Controlled With Seed Treatment

Seed treatment can prevent the spread of disease-causing fungi to new cultivation areas. In addition, they avoid direct damage caused by fungi, insects and nematodes in seeds, roots and seedlings during the initial phase of cultures.

The main pests and diseases of soy, corn and cotton that are controlled with this practice can be:

Pests

· Elasmo caterpillar ( Elasmopalpus lignosellus )

· Cartridge caterpillar ( Spodoperta frugiperda )

· Soyworm ( Anticarsia gemmatalis )

· Helicoverpa ( Helicoverpa spp )

The caterpillars feed on the plant's neck shortly after germination. There is also the pest popularly known as Coró, which are beetle larvae that are underground and will feed on the roots of newly established plants.

In addition, with seed treatment, the plant can become more resistant to nematode attack, one of the main pests of soybeans, for example. The plant can develop without the need to use a specific product for the control of nematodes.

Illnesses

There are practically three groups of fungal diseases related to seeds.

Transmitted Via Seeds

The seed is already sick from the seed production field and will transmit the disease to the grain production field. For example, in soy, corn, and cotton, the primary disease-causing fungi transmitted via seeds are Cercospora spp., Fusarium spp. and Colletotrichum spp.

Stored Grain Diseases

In this case, the seed can come healthy from the seed production field, but during storage, they can be affected by fungi that will damage the seeds in terms of germination and vigour. Within this group, the main ones are Penicillium spp. and Aspergillus spp.

Caused By Fungi That Are Already Present In The Soil

For example, Rhizoctonia spp. and Pythium spp. These can cause damage when the plant is still in the seedling phase and can cause tipping and loss of population or stand and, consequently, productivity.