b'SEED TREATMENT APPLICATIONCover Crops That Work SmarterJOSEPH YOUNG Director of Business Development, Summit Seed Coatingsjoseph.young@summitseedcoatings.comWHEN HARVEST WRAPS UP,talk often turns to cover crops Improve germination and root establishment and for good reason. Theyre the unsung heroes of soil health, Balance seed weight for even spread, whether broadcast, helping prevent erosion, suppress weeds and return nutrients todrilled or applied by dronethe ground. But getting a consistent, healthy stand isnt as simple Reduce passes through the field, saving time, fuel and emis- as scattering seed. How those seeds are coated and delivered cansionsmake a big difference in performance, efficiency and sustainability. That last point matters more than you might think. With At Summit, weve long believed that seed coating should dobetter coverage per pass, growers can use less diesel and still more than stick to the surface. A good coating helps every seedget the coverage they needmaking coating not just good for start stronger, grow evenly and cover the field the way it wascrops, but for the environment too.intended. Thats especially true for cover crop mixes, which often combine species with very different seed sizes and densities From Soil Health to Sustainability. Cover crops are gaining traction everywherefrom farms Why Coating Matters for Cover Crops focused on soil regeneration to highway departments using A typical cover crop mix might include clovers, vetch, oats andclover blends for erosion control and beautification. What they other speciesall with different weights and shapes. Withoutall share is the goal of doing more with less: fewer inputs, fewer coating, lighter seeds can blow away during broadcast spread- passes, and more resilient landscapes.ing, while heavier ones travel farther, creating patchy stands.As I see it, coating is part of that same mindset. Its a tech-Coating helps create uniform density and even distributionnology that helps seed perform better for everyone involvedacross the fieldno matter how you plant. growers, land managers and the environment. When each seed At Summit, weve developed coating systems designed to: does its job, the entire system benefits.CHITOSAN SEED TREATMENTSeeds Are Smarter Than We Think and So Are Todays TreatmentsSARAH BUDDE-RODRIGUEZ Tidal Grow AgriScience Agronomy Solutions Managersarah.rodriguez@tidalgrowag.comSEED TREATMENTS AREa cornerstone of modern croplowers in-season handling. Their ability to move within the plant protection, helping shield seeds and seedlings from pests andmakes them a valuable fit for IPM programs.diseases while improving germination and stand establishment.Studies show systemic treatments can disrupt beneficial As farms adopt practices that improve resource use, choosingendophytes that help seedlings handle stress, use nutrients effi-between contact and systemic treatments is more important.ciently and develop stronger roots. Their broad preventive nature Each plays a distinct role, and understanding how they workcan also speed pathogen resistance in low-pressure environ-helps growers match protection to field conditions instead ofments. The concerns reach beyond the seed; systemic insecti-relying on a single blanket strategy. cides have possibly impacted pollinators and soil microbiota.Contact treatments apply protective chemistries directlyContact treatments are more environmentally predictable and to the seed surface, creating a barrier against seed-borne andoften less expensive with a lower risk of driving resistance. Their surface pathogens. They act immediately and stay where theyrenarrow activity window and inability to reach internal pathogens placed, minimizing off-target movement. They remain external,mean growers may still need supplemental tactics when disease so their protection window is shorter and they cannot addresspressure is high or crops are vulnerable to systemic infections.soil-borne threats or infections originating inside the seed. Sustainable seed protection isnt about choosing sides. The Systemic treatments function differently. Once absorbed, theystrongest strategies apply systemic products when early internal move through the developing seedlings vascular system andor soil-borne disease pressure is high, and turning to contact or protect tissues as they grow. This internal movement extendsbiological tools to maintain microbial health and reduce chemical the protection timeline for several weeks after planting, prevent- load when risks are lower. Its about matching the right tool to the ing diseases such as damping-off, downy mildew and otherright field at the right moment to give every seed the strongest early-season infections. Research shows systemic fungicides canpossible start.reduce the need for foliar sprays, which improves efficiency and 24/ SEEDWORLD.COMJANUARY 2026'