Utilizing “Actives” to Improve Production – Yield and Quality – by Overcoming Abiotic Stresses in Agronomic, Vegetable, Turf, Ornamental, and Forestry Production.

The introduction and adoption of new controlled application and coating technologies within the seed industry is advancing the use of many new active and additive technologies that require precision in seed-to-seed placement.  Seed weight increases as large as 100% can be achieved thus allowing significant “seed space” for the incorporation of these seed applied protects.  Presently, there are as many as 5-8 different additives applied at the same time to many seed types with 95% accuracy of theoretical rate.  Future additive and active technologies  are nearing commercialization.  Seed safety, water solubility, and mode of action for each additive must be determined when used alone and in the possible combinations applied to the seed. In addition, the selection of an effective binding (polymer) agent that will serve as a cosmetic enhancer, an anti-abrasive flow agent, and a de-dusting agent that will adhere the products firmly to the seed surface is required. Being surfaced applied to the seed, the additives can easily be leached away from the seed under high rain fall or totally removed from the root zone if the seed coat (testa) remains with the cotyledons. The mode of action of each additive, (protectant or systemic), will influence the duration and level of control afforded by the product(s).  Many micro organisms become symbiotic with the germinating seed and seedling thus providing direct disease, insect, and nematode suppression or elicitation of gene and plant responses which have positive effects on yield and quality. When utilizing micro organisms, consideration must be given to consistency of performance, compatibility with application technologies used, compatibility with other actives, and stability and shelf life on both the seed and in the product form.  Discussions and examples on the above will be presented.