Seed accounts for about 17% of soybean production costs and is the input that leaves the least room for error. Protecting the seeds from processing through planting determines the crop yield you’ll harvest months later. In a batch evaluated by Embrapa, a single tiny hole made by a weevil to lay an egg was enough to reduce germination by 13%. This guide brings together what works in practice: how the treatment works, which pests and diseases attack the seed, what ensures germination and vigor, and how storage preserves all of this until planting.
Why does protecting seeds determine the crop?
Seed quality affects seedling emergence and plant uniformity. Mechanical damage, deterioration, insects, and pathogens can compromise the performance of the seed lot even before the crop emerges.
Protection begins with the selection of high-quality seeds and continues throughout processing, treatment, storage, and transportation. Each step must preserve the physical, physiological, and sanitary characteristics of the material.
A seed with good initial quality is better equipped to develop into a healthy seedling. Proper management helps preserve this potential while taking into account the crop’s characteristics and growing conditions.
What is seed treatment?
Seed treatment involves the application of products designed to protect the seeds from certain harmful agents.
Depending on the agricultural production cycle, the crop, the product, and the objective, fungicides, insecticides, and coating technologies may be used.
The treatment helps protect seeds and seedlings during the early stages, when their development is still vulnerable to certain pathogens and pests. When selecting products, one should take into account the diagnosis, technical recommendations, and the manufacturer’s instructions.
The application must ensure uniform distribution and proper dosage.
Efficiency depends on the combination of product, dosage, equipment, and batch quality, as well as storage conditions and the time until sowing.
Essential components of seed treatment
The treatment may combine crop protection products and coating technologies. Polymers and drying powders help improve the physical quality of the treatment and facilitate the handling of the treated seeds.
Coating Polymers: How Does Film Coating Work?
Film Coating Technology applies a thin, uniform film to the surface of the seed. This layer helps the applied products adhere and helps reduce abrasion and particle shedding during handling.
Coating can also improve the flow of seeds through the planting equipment. The result depends on the formulation used, the compatibility of the components, and the settings of the treatment process.
The technology should be applied in accordance with the technical recommendations for each formulation. Learn about film coating technology and its applications in seed treatment.
What is drying powder used for?
The drying powder helps the syrup dry after the products are applied. It can also help improve the flow of treated seeds during loading and planting operations.
When the formulation and settings are appropriate, improved seed flow can promote single-seed placement. This performance also depends on the shape of the seeds, the type of metering unit, the operating speed, and the maintenance of the planter.
The choice of component must take into account the culture and the treatment system. The combination of polymer and drying powder must be validated to avoid incompatibilities or unwanted changes in performance.
How can you protect seeds from pests and diseases?
Protection requires identifying the risks present in storage and in the field. Insects can damage stored seeds, while fungi present in the soil can affect the seed and the seedling before emergence.
Pests associated with stored grains include the grain weevil (Sitophilus zeamais) and the grain moth (Sitotroga cerealella). The occurrence and significance of each pest vary depending on the crop and storage conditions.
Embrapa describes insect damage and its effects on seed quality in the publication *Protection of Seeds Against Pest Infestation DuringStorage*.
The damage may compromise the embryo or reduce the reserves available for early development. Damaged seeds may also be more vulnerable to other agents, depending on the conditions of the batch.
In the field, the treatment must be determined based on the relevant targets and the products registered for that crop. The choice should take into account the field’s history, agronomic recommendations, and label instructions.
Nematodes require special attention: generally, damage occurs to the roots and plant tissues, rather than through a direct attack on the seed. Therefore, the protection strategy must distinguish between the organisms present in storage and those that affect the crop after sowing.
High-quality seed, proper treatment, and adequate storage form an integrated protection strategy. To learn about solutions for the early stages of cultivation, see “Seed Protection in the Soil.”
What are the benefits of this treatment for crops?
Proper treatment can help reduce the risk of losses caused by certain pathogens and pests in the early stages. Its effectiveness depends on the target, the product used, and growing conditions.
1. Preservation of germination and vigor
Selecting lots of good physiological quality is essential for establishment. Treatment can help preserve the available potential, provided it is compatible with the seed and applied correctly.
2. Reducing losses at the store
Protection against specific pests can reduce the risk of damage early in the growing season. The need for replanting, however, also depends on factors such as weather, planting depth, water availability, and the quality of the planting operation.
3. More efficient use of inputs
This treatment allows protection to be targeted to the exact time and place where it is needed. The selection should take technical recommendations into account, avoiding inappropriate applications or the use of products when there is no agronomic need.
4. Greater uniformity in planting
Flow and seed separation can be enhanced by appropriate formulations and proper equipment adjustment. Distribution also depends on calibration, travel speed, and the physical characteristics of the seeds.
The benefits must be evaluated by considering the entire production system. The treatment is one of several management tools and does not replace the selection of high-quality seeds or the proper adjustment of the seeder.
How can you protect seeds to ensure they remain viable and vigorous?
Germination and vigor are related indicators, but they represent different characteristics. Germination refers to the ability to produce normal seedlings under controlled test conditions.
Vigor is associated with the physiological performance of the seed lot under different conditions. It helps us understand how seeds may respond to less favorable conditions during emergence and plant establishment.
Two lots with similar germination results may behave differently in the field. Therefore, the assessment of physiological quality should take into account the available indicators and the expected conditions at the time of planting.
Mechanical damage, improper drying, and storage under unfavorable conditions can compromise quality. The treatment does not restore physiological characteristics that have already been lost.
Before determining the protection strategy, review the analysis report and assess the need for additional testing. The quality of the batch at planting should be a factor in the technical decision.
Seed Storage: Temperature, Humidity, and Time
Storage does not improve the seed. It merely determines the rate at which it loses the quality it already had when it entered the warehouse.
Two factors determine this rate: the moisture content of the seed and the temperature of the stored batch.
Embrapa cites two classic empirical rules from the literature. For every 1% increase in seed moisture content—between 5% and 14%—seed longevity is cut in half. The second rule applies to heat: for every 5 °C increase in storage temperature—between 0 °C and 50 °C—seed longevity is also cut in half.
The two rules operate independently and can be interchanged. A batch at 11% humidity and 25 °C lasts the same amount of time as a batch at 12% humidity and 20 °C.
In Brazil, it is common to store seed with 13% moisture content at 25 °C. This combination falls at the critical limit of the storage diagram, leaving no margin for error. The effect is not immediately visible. After some time under these conditions, germination rates have already begun to decline and deterioration has set in, even without any apparent signs.
Treated seeds require greater care. A study by Embrapa Agropecuária Oeste monitored soybeans treated with fungicide for 180 days in storage without any loss of physiological quality.
Even so, the publication itself recommends treating the crop immediately before sowing. The timeframe outlined in the study shows what is possible, not what is advisable.
In practice: a well-ventilated storage area with a mild temperature, no direct light, and a clean space free of crop residues. And treat the crop as close to planting time as possible when storage will be long-term.
Common Mistakes in Treatment and How to Avoid Them
Certain operational errors can compromise the uniformity of application, worker safety, and batch performance. Prevention depends on standardized procedures, appropriate equipment, and trained professionals.
Administering an incorrect dose
The dose must follow the product instructions and be calculated based on the unit specified by the manufacturer. The calculation must take into account the weight of the batch and the recommended amount of solution.
Using inappropriate equipment
The application should provide uniform coverage without damaging the seeds. Makeshift equipment can make it difficult to control the dose, ensure uniformity, and maintain the repeatability of the process.
Ignore the physical quality of the lot
Cracked or damaged seeds may be more susceptible to health and physiological problems. Inspection and careful transport and handling help reduce further damage.
Disregarding operational safety
This treatment requires attention to the instructions for use, personal protective equipment, and worker training. NR-31, issued by the Ministry of Labor and Employment, sets forth safety and training requirements related to agricultural activities.
The purchase and use of plant protection products must comply with applicable laws and official guidelines. Please also refer to the laws governing seeds and seedlings to verify the regulations relevant to this activity.
Treat well before sowing
The interval between treatment and planting must be appropriate for the crop, the formulation, and the storage conditions. Record the date, the products applied, and the identification of each batch to facilitate operational control.
Industrial seed treatment can be evaluated based on the operation’s needs, the available infrastructure, and the recommended procedures for each crop.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Seed Protection
What does it mean to protect seeds?
It is the set of practices that preserves the physiological and sanitary quality of the seed between harvest and emergence in the field. It involves treatment with fungicides, insecticides, polymers, and desiccants; storage at controlled temperature and humidity; and handling that prevents mechanical damage to the seed coat.
What pests attack stored seeds?
Pests associated with stored grains include the grain weevil (Sitophilus zeamais) and the grain moth (Sitotroga cerealella). These insects can damage the seeds and compromise their quality. Their occurrence depends on the crop, warehouse conditions, and the presence of infestation sources.
What is the difference between germination and vigor?
Germination is the ability to produce normal seedlings under controlled laboratory conditions. Vigor is related to the physiological performance of the lot under different conditions. Two lots with similar germination rates may perform differently in the field, so these indicators should be evaluated together.
What are the ideal temperature and humidity levels for storing seeds?
The lower, the better. Two rules of thumb from the literature, as cited by Embrapa: every additional 1% of seed moisture content, between 5% and 14%, cuts longevity in half; every additional 5 °C in temperature, between 0 °C and 50 °C, has the same effect. Storing seeds at 13% moisture and 25 °C is already the critical limit.
How long can treated seeds be stored?
It depends on the crop and the product. A study by Embrapa Agropecuária Oeste found that soybeans treated with fungicide remained in storage for 180 days without any loss of quality. Even so, the recommendation in the same publication is to treat the seeds immediately before planting, because the risk increases over time.
What is the purpose of the polymer in seed treatment?
The polymer forms a thin film around the seed and keeps the applied products adhering to it until planting. This reduces dust release during handling, minimizes the loss of active ingredients due to abrasion, and improves flow in the planter, which promotes uniform distribution.
Does the treatment restore seeds with low vigor?
No. The treatment protects the remaining vitality of the batch against pests and pathogens, but it does not restore physiological quality that has already been lost due to mechanical damage, drying at temperatures above the tolerance level, or improper storage. The selection of the batch comes before the selection of the treatment.
How to Protect Seeds in Your Operation
Seed protection depends on a series of decisions: selecting the batch, determining the treatment, applying the correct dose, storing the seeds under appropriate conditions, and planning the planting.
The quality of each step influences the outcome of the process. Therefore, standardized procedures, application records, and technical monitoring help identify opportunities for improvement.
Laborsan Agro develops seed treatment solutions, including the LabFix® and LabSec® product lines. The choice should take into account the crop, the formulation, the equipment, and the specific needs of the operation.
Would you like to evaluate the treatment used in your operation? Contact the Laborsan Agro technical team to discuss your process requirements.
