Corn seed treatment is one of the most important practices in modern agriculture. The treatment not only helps protect the seeds against pests and diseases, but also contributes to a more secure establishment of the crop in the soil.
In addition, corn seed treatment is directly linked to plantability, a fundamental concept for successful planting. By ensuring uniform sowing with less loss of inputs, the producer starts the harvest with more confidence and organization.
What is treated corn?
Treated corn is corn whose seeds undergo a process that applies pesticides, polymers and other products directly to their surface. The aim is to protect the seed against adverse factors in the early stages, such as fungi, pests and some unfavorable environmental conditions.
These products are applied in a controlled manner, using specific techniques to ensure correct adherence and distribution on the seeds. This reduces the need for applications in the field right after sowing, optimizing farming operations in terms of time, resources and minimizing the risk of losses.
By using treated maize, growers are able to establish a more uniform crop from the outset, favoring plant emergence and reducing the chances of stand failures.
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What is TS?
The TS stands for "Seed Treatment". This can be done industrially or on the farm. In the case of corn, the most common and efficient form is industrial treatment, where the seeds are treated with advanced technologies that guarantee greater safety, precision and durability of the film applied.
One of the technologies used in TS is Film Coating, a polymer coating that forms a protective film on the treated seed. This process helps to fix the active ingredients and additives applied and reduces dust emissions during handling.
The technologies that make up TS with Film Coating include:
- LabFix G5 Platinum M®: a high-performance polymer specifically for corn crops, with flow additives and improved abrasion resistance.
- LabSec Superfluid Graf®: a drying powder that contributes to faster drying and improves the fluidity of the seed in the planter, directly impacting plantability.
This combination protects the treatment film, adds fluidity and plantability gains, reducing the number of double seeds or failures, making the planting process more efficient.
Why treat corn seed before planting?
Treating corn seeds is a preventative measure that reduces risks during germination and the initial development of the plant. Treated seeds are protected against fungi, pests and other harmful agents that can compromise the crop.
In addition to protection, the treatment offers practical advantages such as:
- Reduction of sowing losses.
- Greater uniformity in plant emergence.
- Reduced need for foliar-applied pesticides.
- Less environmental impact by avoiding excessive application of products.
This initial care strengthens crop performance without directly interfering with the seed's physiology. The treatment's function is to protect the investment made in acquiring quality seeds in a more sustainable way, reducing environmental impacts.
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What products are used in corn seed treatment?
The products used in corn seed treatment vary according to the needs of the crop and the challenges of the region. The main ones are:
- Fungicides: protect against diseases caused by fungi.
- Insecticides: combat initial soil pests such as grubs and bedbugs.
- Biostimulants: help root development.
- Micronutrients: provide essential elements for initial growth.
- Polymers: form a protective film and stabilize the treatments applied.
- Drying powders: speed up drying and make it easier to handle the seeds.
Each of these products has a specific function and, when applied in an integrated manner, they provide greater safety for the treated seed right up to the moment of planting.
How seed treatment impacts plantability
Plantability is the term that defines the ability to plant efficiently, with well-distributed seeds at the ideal spacing and depth. This factor is decisive for a healthy crop, with well-positioned plants and balanced competition for light, water and nutrients.
Maize seed treatment positively influences plantability by adopting technologies such as Film Coating:
- Facilitate flow in machines, especially when using technologies such as LabFix G5 Platinum M® and LabSec Superfluid Graf®.
- Improve the uniformity of the seed treatment.
- Improve the singulation of the seed deposit by the planter, reducing gaps and double seeds, which affect the stand, i.e. the density of plants per unit area.
These advantages are essential in crops such as corn, where the final yield depends on precise seed placement. The more regular the sowing, the greater the chances of a good harvest.
+ READ MORE: Protecting seeds: technologies and practices for good initial crop establishment
Care when choosing the right corn seed treatment
When choosing a corn seed treatment, the grower must consider:
- Seed quality: choose certified seeds with high germination and vigor.
- Use of specific products: pesticides and additives must be safe for the seed.
- Applied technology: industrial treatments with Film Coating and Superior Protection offer important advantages.
- Planting objectives: the choice of treatment must be aligned with the profile of the area, climate, soil and management system.
In addition, producers must follow good agricultural practices, monitor weather conditions at the time of sowing and keep equipment calibrated. These factors, together with the use of treated seeds, contribute to safer and more efficient farming.
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