Seed dressing with micronutrients mitigates stress effects

Seed treatment with well-chosen micronutrients is a promising approach to mitigate different forms of stress, according to researchers in the Plant nutrition courier. Other studies reviewed in this popular scientific magazine cover seed potato treatment with phosphorus.

 

It is a cold spring. The maize seedlings on the field are pale yellow from the stress, because the temperature is too low for a smooth start of the crop. The low temperature in the root zone severely reduces root growth, but also limits nutrient acquisition and nutrient uptake. 

 

A trace of well-chosen micronutrients on the seeds would help the suffering seedlings through this period of growth stagnation. The micronutrients can be applied through the usual seed dressing techniques, according to experiments reported in the Plant nutrition courier. 

 

Micronutrients can also mitigate phytotoxicity of tebuconazole seed treatment, according to researchers in this popular scientific magazine. Other studies reviewed in the Plant nutrition courier cover seed potato treatment with phosphorus. 

 

A Dutch agronomist reports that seed potato treatment with phosphate increases tuber yield in case seed potatoes and soils are low in phosphorus. Previously reported studies have shown that seed treatment with silicon can counteract different forms of stress in all kinds of arable, vegetable and ornamental crops.