Seed treatment technologies will bring benefits to Brazil: Ricardo Otranto

By Leonardo Gottems, Reporter for AgroPages

Ricardo Otranto, leader of Bayer's seed treatment section in Brazil, said, “Seed treatment technologies are a powerful tool for protecting seeds from innumerable agents that cause diseases and pests, which threaten the initial phase of cultivation. When sowing takes place, a race for productivity starts, and that is when seeds experience a series of threats.”

“As a consequence, each attack in the initial phase of cultivation reduces the seedlings’ development potential and future productivity. The use of both chemical and biological products provides seed protection during this period, which benefits the development of plants already undergoing germination in the initial stage of the crop,” he added.

He also pointed out that it is possible to work with solutions for both industrial seed treatment (IST) and on farms (On Farm), stating, “Industrial seed treatment is undergoing growth in Brazil. This modality offers advantages related to greater treatment precision, to maintain the quality of seeds and reduce of the risk of exposure. The knowledge related to On Farm or professional seed treatment on properties were acquired directly on farms and not in the industry, as in the case with IST.”

However, Otranto stressed that farmers can achieve excellence during the production process, and it is necessary to pay attention to other factors of extreme importance during this period, such as plantability, correct density and speed of planting.

“Quality of planting is based on factors from weather, soil conditions, and the settings of a seeder. The producer requires detailed planning to define the ideal amount of seeds that will be planted per linear meter, in order to determine the best plant density and optimize the productive potential of the seed. Density is also important, the more uniform the seed distribution during the planting phase the better the initial grubbing up of the plants and establishment of the plantation,” he explained.

“Finally, and not least, regulating planters also has an impact. Seeders are robust and complex machines so, therefore, it is worth having technical assistance to carry out adjustments and maintain components to improve the productivity of harvests. Tips for seed treatment are a fundamental part of the basic work of a plantation. The farmer's work becomes more challenging with each harvest. Therefore, it is important to count on the necessary support, solutions and technologies that will assist farmers in producing more on a smaller area in a sustainable way and with protection. Brazil has been a reference of innovation in agriculture for the entire world. This perception comes from its care during agricultural production, from the beginning to the end of planting, in order to guarantee quality food,” he said in conclusion.