Industrial seed treatment (IST) applies pesticides, polymers, and drying powder to the seed in a factory setting, with controlled dosing and uniform coverage. The difference from on-farm treatment lies in precision. In a factory setting, dosing errors are minimized, and the operator does not handle chemicals directly. With the 2025/26 harvest estimated at 361.7 million metric tons of grain by Conab, seed has become the most cost-effective starting point for protecting this volume.
This guide explains what TSI is, what the steps in the process are, how it differs from on-farm treatment, and how to evaluate a treatment facility.
What is industrial seed treatment?
Industrial seed treatment, also known as IST, is a process in which seeds receive phytosanitary products, such as fungicides and insecticides, in a standardized and controlled way within specialized industries. Unlike on-farm treatment (carried out by the grower himself on the farm), TSI uses high-tech equipment to ensure uniform and precise coverage of the products applied.
The main purpose of this treatment is to protect the seeds from pests and diseases that could compromise their germination and early development, thereby ensuring safer and more efficient planting.
What are the benefits of industrial seed treatment?
Industrial seed treatment offers a number of advantages for farmers, such as
- Protection against pests and diseases: reduces the need for pesticide applications after planting
- Accurate product dosing: prevents waste and ensures the effectiveness of the applied pesticides
- Greater uniformity in application: the technology built into industrial seed treatment machines ensures that all seeds are treated uniformly
- Risk reduction for farmers: At TSI, chemicals are handled in controlled environments, reducing workers’ exposure to potentially toxic substances
- Better preservation of seed quality: manufacturers follow strict standards to prevent physical and mechanical damage to the seeds during processing
How does industrial seed treatment work, step by step?
Industrial treatment does not begin with the application of the pesticide. It begins with the inspection of the seed lot upon its arrival at the facility.
- Receipt and inspection of the batch. Germination, vigor, moisture content, and purity are measured first and foremost. Any batch that does not meet standards should not proceed.
- Receipt and inspection of products. Pesticides, polymers, and drying powders are checked upon arrival at the facility, and their lot numbers and expiration dates are recorded.
- Preparing the spray mixture. Fungicide, insecticide, nematicide, micronutrients, and polymer are weighed and mixed according to the crop’s formulation.
The order matters. Embrapa recommends applying fungicides and micronutrients before inoculation to ensure good coverage and adhesion. - Application. The seed passes through the treatment drum, where the spray solution is atomized onto the moving batch. ABRASEM recommends verifying the calibration of the dosage based on weight.
- Drying. The drying powder is added at this stage to speed up the drying process and restore the batch’s fluidity before bagging.
- Quality control. The guide requires procedures that demonstrate that the equipment applies the product accurately and uniformly, along with calibration records.
- Bagging and storage. It is recommended to store the batch in a well-ventilated area at a moderate or refrigerated temperature, protected from direct sunlight.
Each step is recorded. It is this traceability that makes it possible to investigate a field problem weeks later and know exactly what was applied to the batch.
What do the polymer and the desiccant do to the seed?
Fungicides and insecticides protect the seed. But it is the polymer that keeps these products on the seed's surface.
It is not an optional detail. The ABRASEM Guide to Best Practices considers the polymer an essential component for a treatment to be classified as TSI.
The polymer forms a thin film around the seed. It reduces dust release, improves pesticide adhesion, and minimizes the loss of active ingredient through leaching.
Without this coating, some of the product comes loose during transport, bagging, and in the planter’s hopper. What comes off the seed does not protect the crop.
The drying powder is added immediately afterward. It speeds up the drying process, prevents the seeds from sticking together, and restores the flowability of the treated batch.
This fluidity is what makes it possible to bag the seeds on the same day and reduce the use of graphite in the planter. Product lines such as LabFix, made of polymers, and LabSec, made of drying powders, serve this dual purpose.
The dosage matters in both cases. With too little polymer, the pesticide powder becomes loose again. With too much, coating studies show a decrease in germination that varies by cultivar.
In other words, the dosage isn't carried over from one batch to the next. It is adjusted based on the cultivar and the finish the customer expects.
A study by Embrapa Soja evaluated TSI with and without the application of drying powder and the effect of this step on the physiological quality of soybeans, which helps inform the decision.
It's also worth checking how the batch performs during storage. That's when the quality of the film really shows.
How does treated seed improve plantability?
Plantability is the planter's ability to dispense one seed at a time, at the correct spacing, without failure and without double planting.
Improperly handled seed hinders this process. Loose powder, clumped seeds, and an uneven surface cause the metering disc to malfunction.
The result is evident on the production line: production line failures, machines running in pairs, and areas that aren't producing as much as they could.
The TSI treats the seed from the surface. Uniform coverage and thorough drying leave the batch smooth and loose, just as the metering unit needs it.
Many growers compensate for the lack of flow with graphite. It works to some extent, but it dirties the equipment and doesn't solve the problem of pesticide dust.
A well-chosen drying powder reduces reliance on graphite and maintains planting speed without sacrificing accuracy.
It’s worth measuring, and there’s a ruler for that. According to the ABNT standard, a failure is considered to have occurred when the spacing exceeds 1.5 times the average spacing, and a double failure when it falls below 0.5 times the average spacing. In the Aprosoja-Embrapa Technology Circuit, in second-crop corn fields in Mato Grosso, sampling was conducted along two 5-meter-long rows per plot, measuring the distance between plants.
The results of that survey serve as a good warning: only 20% of the areas evaluated showed a longitudinal distribution with 100% accuracy.
For soybeans and corn—crops in which the final plant population largely determines yield—this check takes just a few minutes and prevents the need for replanting.
TSI or on-farm: What's the difference in practice?
Industrial seed treatment (IST) and on-farm treatment are distinct methods of protecting seeds before planting and differ significantly in terms of efficiency, safety, and final quality.
TSI is performed by specialized companies using high-tech equipment that ensures the precise, uniform, and controlled application of pesticides.
The entire process takes place in an industrial setting, with strict quality standards, which reduces the likelihood of dosing errors and minimizes physical damage to the seeds. Workers’ exposure to chemicals is also reduced, since the handling takes place in a closed system.
On-farm treatment, which is carried out directly on the farm by the producer himself or his technical team, generally uses simpler and less precise machines. This can result in irregular application of the products, with gaps in coverage or excess pesticide, which compromises both the effectiveness of the treatment and the quality of the seeds. Another critical point of On Farm treatment is the increased risk of environmental contamination and the health of the applicators, due to the direct handling of the chemicals.
In short, while TSI offers greater control, safety and quality, On Farm treatment can present more risks and less standardization, negatively impacting crop establishment.
Which crops in Brazil most commonly use industrial seed treatment?
Industrial seed treatment (IST) is widely used for various agricultural crops in Brazil and plays a crucial role in protecting seeds. The following section highlights the main crops that use IST and their economic importance to the country.
Soy
As Brazil’s leading agricultural commodity, soybeans are the crop in which TSI has made the most progress: according to the FarmTrak Soja survey by Kynetec Brasil, industrially treated seeds now account for more than half of the planted area.
According to Conab's final report for the 2025/26 crop year, soybean production reached 180.4 million metric tons, a 5.2% increase and a new record.
Corn
Used in human and animal feed and as a raw material for ethanol, corn is estimated by Conab to total 144 million metric tons in 2025/26. The second crop accounts for 112.1 million metric tons of that total, planted during a tight planting window, when planting conditions are even more critical.
Cotton
Brazilian cotton continues to gain ground in the international market. Conab projects 4.14 million metric tons of lint in 2025/26, with increased productivity even on a smaller area. Ginned seed requires extra care during recoating.
Wheat
Brazil still imports part of the wheat it consumes. For 2025/26, Conab estimates 5.74 million metric tons, a 27.1% decline driven by a reduction in planted area and yield. In such a scenario, protecting the initial crop has a greater impact on the final result.
Rice
A staple food on Brazilian tables, rice production is expected to total 11.08 million metric tons in 2025/26, a 13.2% decline from the previous crop year, mainly due to a reduction in planted area. The treatment helps maintain the plant population in irrigated fields.
How to Choose a Seed Treatment Plant?
Not every TSI unit produces the same results. The differences lie in the equipment, dose control, and batch traceability.
Start by asking how dosing is performed. Systems that use gravimetric dosing and batch recording are more accurate than manual adjustments.
Request the germination and vigor report before and after treatment. A significant drop between the two measurements indicates mechanical damage or an incorrect dose.
Check for certifications. ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 demonstrate that there is a documented quality and environmental management process in place behind the operation.
Be sure to ask about the available portfolio of polymers and drying agents. A facility that offers only one option is unlikely to tailor the treatment to the specific crop.
And the crop makes all the difference. Soybeans, corn, cotton, and forage crops all require different dosages, colors, and finishes.
Finally, consider the time between treatment and planting. Treated seeds have a storage window, and the industry needs to be able to specify that window for your batch.
A good technical partner answers these questions straightforwardly and monitors the results in the field, not just on the conveyor belt.
Conclusion
The TSI addresses three issues at once: the correct dose, uniform coverage, and reduced operator exposure to the chemical.
None of that appears on the seed invoice. It shows up at the field, in the evenness of the rows and in the amount of replanting you don't have to do.
If your facility is reviewing the polymers, drying agents, or the finish of the seeds you supply, it’s worth talking to the people who formulate these products.
Laborsan Agro has been developing lines of polymers, drying agents, and colorants for seed treatment for nearly three decades and holds ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications.
Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Seed Treatment
What is industrial seed treatment (IST)?
TSI is the application of pesticides, polymers, drying powder, and other inputs to seeds within an industrial facility, with weight-controlled dosing and uniform coverage. The process includes batch analysis, slurry preparation, application, drying, quality control, and bagging, with each step documented for traceability.
What is the difference between TSI and on-farm treatment?
TSI is performed in an industrial setting, using calibrated equipment, automated dosing, and a report for each batch. On-farm treatment is carried out on the property, typically in a concrete mixer or adapted drum, with the dose adjusted manually. The difference lies in the uniformity of coverage, the risk of dosing errors, and the operator’s exposure to the chemical.
What products are used in industrial seed treatment?
The mixture typically combines a fungicide, an insecticide, and—depending on the crop—a nematicide. Micronutrients, biostimulants, inoculants, polymers, and drying powder are also added. The polymers bind the pesticides to the seed surface and reduce dust release. The drying powder accelerates drying and restores the batch’s flowability before bagging.
How long can industrially treated seed be stored?
It depends on the products applied, the crop, and storage conditions. In an Embrapa study on soybeans, early treatment with fungicides proved effective for up to 180 days of storage, with no negative effect on the physiological quality of the seeds. Inoculants have a much shorter effective window. Store the batch in a well-ventilated area at a moderate temperature and protected from direct sunlight.
Does industrial seed treatment replace applications during the growing season?
No. TSI protects the early stage—from planting to crop establishment—when the seedling is most vulnerable to soil-borne fungi, insects, and nematodes. After this period, management continues with the applications recommended for each crop. The treatment reduces initial pest pressure but does not eliminate the need for a phytosanitary program.
What is the purpose of the polymer in seed treatment?
The polymer forms a thin film over the seed and serves three purposes: it anchors the pesticide to the surface, reduces dust released during transport and bagging, and aids in the gradual release of the active ingredient. It also improves the seed’s appearance and reduces losses due to leaching in the first few days after planting.
Does industrial seed treatment improve plantability?
Yes, indirectly. Uniform coverage and thorough drying ensure that the seed batch is loose and has a smooth surface, which helps the metering disc dispense one seed at a time. Batches with loose dust or clumped seeds result in gaps and doubles in the planting row, compromising the final plant stand of the crop.
