Seed treatments can play an important role against disease, helping to give the newly emerging crop a better start.
Dr. Kelly Turkington, a plant pathologist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Lacombe says seed treatments can effectively control seed-borne diseases such as Fusarium, spot blotch pathogens in cereals, and loose smut in barley.
He notes that seed treatments are especially beneficial when the diseases are listed on the product label. For example, older chemistries like Diphenoconazole were not recommended for loose smut in barley, highlighting the importance of choosing the right treatment.
Deciding when to apply seed treatments can be challenging. Dr. Turkington says its important to consider the quality of the seed, germination rates, and vigor. High-quality seeds with good germination and vigor and proper seeding practices lower the risk of seed and seedling issues. However, if seed-borne diseases are present, seed treatments become crucial.
As producers head out for seeding, Dr. Turkington's final advice is to monitor crops closely. Early detection of issues, whether disease-related or due to other factors like drought, is essential. He recalls the 2002 drought in Alberta, where stand establishment problems were initially thought to be disease-related but were actually due to drought conditions and soil crusting.
Listen to Glenda-Lee's discussion with Dr. Kelly Turkington by clicking on the link below.