Seed Coating to Improve Early Vigor
Seed coating consists of preparing seeds using synthetic products or natural substances to give a boost at the start of the crop.
The advantage of this technique is its low cost and ease of implementation for quantitative and qualitative gain.
Benefits of coating
"Homemade" seed coating opens several avenues for change and improvement compared to a conventional seed treatment:
- Inhibition of development of pathogenic microorganisms around the seed;
- Selection of natural substances that prevent damage caused by soil or aerial insects;
- Promotes germination / vigor at startup: this aspect is particularly useful in a context with phytotoxicities caused by heavy weed control programs;
- Improves resistance of seeds and seedlings to damping-off diseases and pest attacks.
- Regarding fertilization, initial field feedback shows it is possible to reduce the total need for nitrogen and prevent micronutrient deficiencies. However, references remain limited.
Coating recipes
Recipe #1
A homemade coating can be made from the following products for 100 kg of seeds:
- Humic and fulvic acids 0.75 L (type Humifirst);
- Rainwater 0.5 L;
- Molasses 10 cL;
- Liquid Algae 0.75 L;
- Compost Vermicompost 100 g to 500 g;
- Trichoderma 50 to 500 g;
- Bat guano 200 g.
Recipe #2
Another interesting option for coating, also for 100 kg of seed:
- 1 L of Humifirst (humic and fulvic acid, but be careful as these molecules can limit germination if overdosed);
- 0.5 L of Coca-Cola (the sugar + caffeine + a bit of phosphoric acid promotes growth at startup);
- 20 g of zinc sulfate;
- 20 g of manganese sulfate dissolved in 0.25 L of water.
The micronutrients zinc and manganese are the first elements the plant needs. In this context, vinegar can be added without issue and the preparation can be made in advance.
Thanks to J-C Devilliers for the trials and help provided to develop these recipes - Anthony Frison, agronomist of the League, is also working on the subject.
