While not every situation calls for a seed treatment, it’s important to understand the benefits of the various treatments available and when your field could benefit from extra protection. In this issue of Stine Weekly, we explore the basics of seed treatments, their core components and our line of Stine® XP seed treatments.
The Basics
First and foremost, seed treatments protect only the genetic potential of the seed. They do not enhance the yield capability of the seed you buy. For top-end yield potential, you need to purchase the best genetics on the market in a maturity that best fits your growing environment. From there, work with your local Stine sales agronomist to determine how a seed treatment could protect your seed through the varying environmental stressors that may persist throughout the year.
Second, know what goes into the seed treatment you purchase. There are several ingredients in seed treatments that give them value. Understanding the product and its strengths and weaknesses will help you decide which variation to use.
Third, rate and units matter. Simply having a product in the mix doesn’t make it effective in all circumstances. Know the product and the necessary rate to effectively target the environmental stressors that put your seed at risk.
Last, avoid the temptation of simplicity and ease. You may be familiar with the pests and diseases that threaten your field, but you need to do your research. For example, use soil samples to identify egg counts of soybean cyst nematode in fields. Or, if you plan to plant early in cool, wet soils, your seed may require a fungicide. Fields prone to sudden death syndrome may need special attention.
Three Main Components of Seed Treatments
Three main components make up seed treatments: fungicides, insecticides and additives. Applied as seed treatments, each can protect your crop from seedling and throughout the growing season.
Fungicides — If your fields have a history of soil-borne pathogens such as Pythium spp., Phytophthora spp., Rhizoctonia solani or Fusarium spp., or if seed-borne diseases such as Phomopsis and Sclerotinia are a concern, fungicide-based seed treatments may be warranted. Fungicide-based seed treatments protect your seed investment from these pathogens and diseases and protect your fields from potential yield loss from the start.
Insecticides — Both above- and below-ground insects may be kept at bay by using insecticide-based seed treatments. Insecticide-based seed treatments protect your seed investment against below-ground pests such as wireworms, seedcorn maggots and white grubs, as well as above-ground pests such as bean leaf beetles, aphids and thrips.
Additives — Additives are an additional benefit of seed treatments, which are typically used as a way to provide early-season benefits such as nematicide to help combat soybean cyst nematode in soybeans or stinging nematodes in corn; planting polymers that provide smoother, better flowing seed to ensure more accurate planting; inoculants and/or bio-stimulants, which are live bacteria applied to the seed for faster growth and extra protection against pests; and boosters, which are fungicides and insecticides added to the seed to help a known weakness of one of the core components listed above.
Stine XP Seed Treatments
If you decide to move forward with a seed treatment, our line of Stine XP seed treatments offers growers a range of products to combat a broad spectrum of seedling diseases and insects.
Stine XP soybean seed treatments are available in four custom-blend formulations:
- Stine XP Complete (fungicide/insecticide with enhanced SDS and white mold protection)
- Stine XP-F&I with BIOst® Nematicide (fungicide/insecticide)
- Stine XP-F&I (fungicide/insecticide)
- Stine XP-F (fungicide only)
To learn more about the benefits of seed treatments and our line of Stine XP seed treatments, contact your local Stine sales rep.