Bayer stewardship guide

Advantages of seed treatments

Seed treatments differ from sprays in two key respects. First, because the treatment targets each seed individually for maximum effectiveness, there is only limited effect on the soil around the seed or the environment above ground. Compared to sprays, seed treatments are applied to less than 0.6% of the field area.

Second, the treatments are applied at low doses in an enclosed environment by professional seed treatment companies away from the field environment.

The highly-targeted application of low doses of seed treatments are an environmentally friendly method of treatment. However, seed treatments are crop protection products and need to be handled as such and used carefully and safely to avoid risks to the user, environment and wildlife.

On farm, the main risks come from:

Accidental seed spills
Seed not covered by soil during drilling that could be eaten by birds or mammals
Dust abraded from seed

About this guide

As a world leader in seed treatment products and application technology, Bayer has produced this guide to help you understand both the rewards and potential risks of using seed treatments, as well as the farm practices that produce the best results with the least effect on the surroundings.

Guide sections

Agronomic benefts of seed treatments

Seed treatment is by far the best means to protect cereal and other crops including sugar beet from seed- and soil-borne pests and diseases and pest-borne virus infections. It also offers a range of further important infections.

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Seed- and soil-borne diseases

In the modern age of highly effective single purpose dressings (SPDs), it can be easy to forget some of the seed-and soil-borne diseases that used to devastate crops.Extreme weather conditions and the sowing of undressed seed have seen a resurgence in some of these diseases, making vigilantly checking and protecting crops all the more important. So now’s the time to make sure you know your bunt from your ergot.

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Preparing to drill

It is now a legal requirement that adequate seed drilling equipment shall be used to ensure a high degree of incorporation in soil, minimisation of spillage and dust emission. Always ensure that drills are properly maintained and calibrated. Before starting work, check that drill components and coulters are set up correctly.

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Sowing the crop

Set up and check drill operation on a part of the field yet to be sown - never check over grass where any spilt seed is difficult to clear up. Be aware of the risky conditions ahead of drilling, such as stony or cloddy soils, or where there might be a lot of surface trash.

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Bayer Stewardship Guide

Advantages of seed treatments

About this guide

Download the stewardship guide here