‘On farm’ seed treatment offering greater drought tolerance launched in Brazil

Date:05-25-2022

Stoller announced the launch in Brazil of a technology for “on-farm” seed treatment under the name, “Send,” which will be marketed in the next harvest.

Approved by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Mapa), the product was developed from the Agente S technology, which acts on how “plants communicate.”

The company said the product was developed after identifying the needs of customers through consultations, to create a new on-farm seed treatment technology, which, together with the company’s assistance and technical recommendations, will ensure efficient nutritional and physiological performance, increasing production stability and safety.

“With the ‘Send’ on-farm seed treatment, we will offer greater photosynthetic potential through more efficient plants that are tolerant to abiotic stresses, in addition to greater efficiency in terms of water use, higher nitrogen supply, and a more developed root system, resulting in soybean crops that are more productive,” said Stela Cato, director of R&D at Stoller.

Stela Cato, director of R&D at Stoller

In general, on-farm seed treatment with Send consists of the application of the technology that covers seeds, forming a protective layer at the ideal dosage appropriate for the type of crop. The application is done directly by producers, but with the technical assistance of Stoller.

The company has developed a new generation of physiological products to enhance the use of hormones in plants. Send, when used in seed treatment, acts during the two most important processes of the plant, which are Biological Nitrogen Fixation (BNF) and photosynthesis, replacing physiological products, and Cobalt and molybdenum-based on-farm seed treatments.

Its main benefit is its ability to make plants more efficient and tolerant to abiotic stresses, resulting in higher productivity. The company also recommends the use of Stimulate via foliar as a biostimulant, further enhancing the results throughout the soybean cycle.

Studies carried out by Embrapa showed that in Brazil, more than 95% of rural landowners chose to treat soybean seeds, highlighting the importance of the input to the planning of crops across the country.

Results often rely on the use of relevant technologies, especially during unpredictable climatic conditions, water scarcity and other negative weather conditions, which, combined with good financial returns, makes the investment relatively non-beneficial for producers compared to seeds, which represent a good share of the cost of production.

Therefore, extra care during seed treatment has become necessary in Brazil. If done improperly, it can affect seed germination and vigor, as well as leave them unprotected against pathogens and soil pests.

Send has undergone six years of research and testing with proven results in more than 350 trial fields in Brazil and Paraguay.

(Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)

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