Introduction to Biological Seed Dressing
The foundational role of seed dressings in agriculture cannot be overstated, especially in the context of sustainable farming and enhancing crop resilience. Biological seed dressings, employing beneficial microbes to improve seed germination, seedling health, and establishment, represent a pivotal advancement in this domain.
Early microbial colonization in the first 7-14 days around the seed is instrumental, setting the stage for subsequent plant-microbial interactions that significantly influence plant health and growth.
Biological seed dressings leverage this short-lived yet crucial window. By establishing a beneficial microbial population early on, these dressings minimize the colonization of pathogenic microbes, thereby safeguarding the seedling during its most vulnerable phase.
The bacteria in our products are at the forefront of this approach. These microbes contribute to a range of beneficial outcomes, including biofertilization, phytohormone production, and the synthesis of extracellular enzymes. Their role is to enhance nutrient availability, stimulate root growth, and provide a first line of defense against soil-borne pathogens.
New Seed Dressing Products from AdvancedAg
A*LIVE Seed
Product Form: Supplied as a powder, that requires dilution into water and mixing before use (see procedures below). Contains three Bacillus (amyloliquefaciens, licheniformis, and subtilis)
Recommended Target Crops: Effective for general use as a seed dressing. Our bacillus-based seed treatments show efficacy with a diverse set of crop types. Formulating this product with 3 species of bacillus allow for the broadest possible use.
Benefits: Similar to A*LIVE Seed Liquid, A*LIVE Seed Dry helps exclude pathogens, is effective at biofertilization, phytohormone production, and hydrolytic enzyme synthesis. This version is the most cost effect seed dressing available.
Dose Procedure: Prepare one gallon of seed dressing as follows: mix one half pound (227 grams) A*LIVE Seed Dry with one gallon of potable water (well water and tap water are both suitable). Once the product is prepared and mixed, apply to seeds at the rate of one gallon prepared seed dressing for every 10 bushels of seed. As always, care must be taken whenever applying seed dressing so that excess moisture is not taken up by the seed. Consult with AdvancedAg or your local authorized distributor for guidance.
Method of Application: Once the product has been prepared, the same equipment as noted previously to apply A*LIVE Seed Liquid is appropriate for application of A*LIVE Seed Dry.
What to Expect
We have extensively tested both of our seed treatment formulas, and when applied per directions, you will see improved germination rates, more vigorous and healthy seedling growth, and overall, this will be the best method to ensure that your crop is as healthy and vigorous as possible.
Depending on the crop and procedures, these benefits will typically be affordably achieved without brewing and significant labour.
Follow Up Doses
While seed treatment provides the needed beneficial bacteria during the most optimal times, the changing environment in the soil, establishment of the rhizosphere and phyllosphere all dictate that follow up treatment is prudent and effective, paving the way for optional use of ACF-SR and SRP. Any one of our biological products will yield results, but can all be used differently and in conjunction with each other.
A*LIVE Seed dressing at time zero
ACF-SR shortly after seeding to mid-vegetative
SRP at early reproductive stage
Research and Data
Our seed dressing research is specially designed to properly simulate field dose rates, account for typical environmental stresses. A*LIVE Seed data showed germination rates increasing by 33%, root growth is much greater, and coleoptile formation rate was doubled.
Below is data from 72 Brandon wheat seeds per tray where we tested one seed dressing formula vs another:
A photographic example of this difference is shown below, with the red line indicating 3 inches above the soil line, for treated and control trays:
