How to choose seed treatments

Feb 12, 2025

Seed treatment is a useful tool to preserve seed quality and help with plant establishment.

Common questions relating to seed treatment include:

• Should I use a seed treatment?

• Which seed treatment product should I use?

Seed tests are a great way for producers to find out what they are dealing with when it comes to seed quality and health. The test results, including germination, vigour and disease diagnostic, are the foundation for making seed treatment decisions.

If you have not sent your seed lot to be tested, there’s still time to do so. Send a seed sample to one of the accredited seed labs to know the germination, vigour, 1000 kernel weight and more.

If you have received your seed testing results, the following article will help you interpret the results and make seeding decisions.

How to interpret your seed test results - a step-by-step guide.

Already know which diseases/insects you're dealing with, but need to decide which seed treatment products to use?

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Video: Residue Management

Residue Management conservation practice manages the amount, orientation, and distribution of crop and other plant residue on the soil surface year-round while limiting soil-disturbing activities used to grow and harvest crops in systems where the field surface is tilled prior to planting. This video explores how Ryan McKenzie implemented this conservation practice on his farm in Samson, Alabama.

Practice benefits:

• Increases organic matter

• Improves air quality

• Decreases energy costs

• Reduces erosion

• Improves soil health

The Conservation at Work video series was created to increase producer awareness of common conservation practices and was filmed at various locations throughout the country. Because conservation plans are specific to the unique resource needs on each farm and also soil type, weather conditions, etc., these videos were designed to serve as a general guide to the benefits of soil and water conservation and landowners should contact their local USDA office for individual consultation.