Pioneer adds biological elements to seed treatment packages

Biological elements are the newest addition to the seed treatment packages available from Pioneer Hi-Bred.

Going into 2012 planting season, the company will complement its existing seed treatment lineup with an additional corn fungicide and also biological elements that will complement the current fungicide and insecticide offerings, according to Warren Richardson, senior marketing manager with Pioneer Hi-Bred.

“The biological element is, in essence, living micro-organisms that we’re introducing into the seed treatment that interact with the seed to help improve plant health and early season vigor,” said Richardson.

Those biological elements will interact within the plant and give an opportunity for the plant to increase nutrient uptake and get off to a strong start in the early season under potentially cold and wet environmental stresses.

Richardson said the greatest area of change has been in the soybean seed treatment lineup, as more and more sales representatives are investing into the seed treatment service and offering seed treatments that complement genetics already being offered.

There was more awareness around protecting genetic investment with strong commodity prices seen in 2011.  Richardson believes that is why the industry has seen strong adoption of these products already, and continued research efforts will help to meet the growing need.