Know the Questions to Ask About Seed Treatments

Seed treatments have come a long way since they debuted on U.S. farms around 2005-2006. But not all are created equally.

“Just because you see color on the seed doesn’t necessarily mean your crop is getting all the protection you expect,” says Palle Pedersen, Ph.D., head of Seedcare product marketing for Syngenta. “It’s essential you ask the right questions to make sure you’re getting what you pay for when you invest in a seed treatment.”

Key questions include:

“Just because you see color on the seed doesn’t necessarily mean your crop is getting all the protection you expect.”

• What product(s) and active ingredients am I getting?
• What are the proper rates?
• Where’s the data supporting these rates?
• What about data supporting rhizobia compatibility?

“Sometimes competitors use lower amounts of active ingredients in seed treatments, but this is not a good place to cut corners,” Pedersen says. “Also, competitors’ products may not be formulated to work together like Syngenta Seedcare products.”

Inferior formulations for seed treatments may cause other hassles. Residue from lower-quality seed treatments may build up on planter plates, so growers don’t get good singulation at planting.

Uniform coverage is also important for best results. “If you don’t get uniform distribution on the seed, you don’t get what you’re paying for,” Pedersen says.

Syngenta is committed to providing resellers and growers with the highest-quality seed treatments, along with expert service, Pedersen says. “We want to make sure you have a great experience with our products.”