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What
is coated seed?
Seed coating is a
process designed to create a nutritious environment in the
immediate vicinity of the germinating seed. This provides a
"boost" for the seedling in its critical early stages
of development. Coated seed was first manufactured in Canada in
1977. It was readily accepted by most users and now has a
definite role to play in Canadian agriculture.
Coated seed benefits the plant in
its critical seedling stage thus ensuring early vigor and
maximum establishment. There is some carryover effect from this
increased seedling vigor but once the fertilizer coat has been
assimilated by the plant, it cannot be of any further direct
benefit in its future development.
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Prill-On®
coated alfalfa seed |
Conventional
inoculation |
In the past, some users have
expected coated seed to allow them to ignore good seeding
techniques, yet still obtain an optimum stand. Coated seed does
provide major advantages but good cultivation techniques must
still be followed. Obviously coating cannot alter the inherent
genetic characteristics of the seed such as yielding capacity.
The present economic, nutrient
and chemical benefits, which are available to coated seed users
today, make it a very worthwhile product.
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