Industrial Seed Treatment (IST) is no longer an operation focused solely on fungicides and insecticides. Today, seeds can also be treated with biological products, nutrients, biostimulants, polymers, and desiccant powders before they are planted in the field.
This development increases the technical demands. The more technologies are applied to the seed's surface, the greater the need for the treatment to remain uniform, adhere properly, and be protected until the time of planting.
Diversification of ingredients in the syrup
A survey by Embrapa Soja of 61 seed-producing institutions in 12 states shows this diversification. Among the participants, 100% reported using fungicides, insecticides, and polymers in seed treatment. Post-drying agents were present in 97% of the operations surveyed, while nematicides, nutrients, inoculants, and biostimulants were also among the available technologies.
In practice, the treatment is no longer a simple solution but now functions as a system in which different technologies must be integrated onto a small, biologically sensitive surface.
More technology requires greater control
A study published in the *Journal of Seed Science* reinforces this concern. The study evaluated different volumes and compositions of spray mixtures containing pesticides, biological inputs, polymers, and desiccant powder, and showed that both the volume and the composition can influence seed coat integrity and seed vigor.
Under the experimental conditions, larger volumes increased the stress on the seeds, while polymer treatments—either alone or in combination with the drying powder—helped preserve their physiological condition.
The results underscore that, in systems with many inputs, simply choosing the inputs is not enough. It is also necessary to consider how they interact, how they are distributed on the surface, and how long they remain on the seed.
The Action of Polymers and Desiccant Powders
This is where the evolution of TSI intersects with the work carried out by Laborsan Agro.
With more technologies combined in the same coating, there is a greater need to control coverage, adhesion, drying, stability, and abrasion resistance. In this process, polymers and drying agents help preserve the film formed by the treatment.
“As we increase the number of technologies used in the coating, our responsibility to preserve the treatment applied to the seed grows. It is not enough to have a formulation or technological recipe if there are losses in uniformity, abrasion, dust shedding, or a lack of good adhesion during the processes,” says Letícia Azevedo, Research and Innovation Coordinator at Laborsan Agro.
Expansion of the technique in the Brazilian market
With the addition of more products, industrial seed treatment still has room to grow in Brazil. According to the Embrapa survey, industrial seed treatment accounted for 36.3% of the seed volume sold by participating institutions during the 2022/23 crop year. For 2028/29, the companies and cooperatives themselves projected a market share of 55.7%.
For Laborsan Agro, the growth of TSI increases the demand for technologies designed to maintain the treatment applied to the seed.
“The goal of the research today is to understand how different technologies affect the same seed. Spray volume, coverage, drying, adhesion, and compatibility must all be considered together to preserve the quality and ensure the expected results of the treatment,” says Letícia Azevedo, Research and Innovation Coordinator at Laborsan Agro.
As TSI technology evolves, the next step is to incorporate more technology into the seed and ensure that the formulation remains protected and functional until it reaches the soil.
About Laborsan Agro
Laborsan Agro is a Brazilian company with nearly 30 years of experience, specializing in the development and marketing of technologies for the agribusiness inputs sector. Its portfolio includes polymers and drying powders for seed coating using film coating technology, as well as other solutions designed for seed treatment and processing.
