Seed Treatments and Their Benefits

Seed treatments are materials applied to seed before planting to protect young seedlings during their most vulnerable stage of growth. Seeds and seedlings face risks from soil-borne diseases, insects, and environmental stress immediately after planting. Treatment helps reduce early losses by providing short-term protection as the seed germinates and establishes roots. They are applied in precise amounts and are designed to protect the seedling for a limited time, typically for the first few weeks after planting.

Common Types of Seed Treatments

Fungicide Treatments

• Protect against seed- and soil-borne diseases such as damping-off
• Help improve emergence in cool or wet soils

Insecticide or Nematicide Treatments

• Reduce early feeding damage from insects or nematodes
• Protect seedlings before they can tolerate stress

Biological Treatments

• Contain beneficial microbes that support root health
• May improve nutrient uptake or stress tolerance

Colorants

• Added to clearly mark the seed as treated
• Prevents treated seed from being mistaken for food or feed

Benefits of Treated Seed

• Improved germination and stand establishment
• Reduced need for early foliar pesticide applications
• More uniform crop emergence
• Greater protection under stressful planting conditions

For more information, please see links below:

• Seed Treatments Protect Crops Early – Mississippi State University Extension
• Seed Treatments: Questions That Emerge When Plants Don’t – Crop Protection Network