Plants face pests, diseases and environmental stresses that threaten crop growth and farmers’ livelihoods. Breeding resilient varieties with resistance to pests and diseases provides a strong foundation for healthy crops. However, breeding alone cannot address every agronomic challenge, so complementary crop management practices are needed.

Seed treatment products are applied directly to seed using precision techniques. They can include biological products, chemical crop protection products, nutrients and fertilisers. Depending on their function, these products can protect the seed and young seedling from pests and diseases, help plants cope with environmental stresses, or support nutrition and growth.

By supporting crops during their most vulnerable early stages, treated seed helps improve crop establishment and enables crops to realise their yield potential.

Applying products directly to seed provides targeted protection and can reduce both the amount of product needed and the area in contact with it, compared with applications across the whole field.

Seed treatment products should comply with applicable regulatory requirements, including safety assessment and authorisation where required. They should be applied according to label directions and the manufacturer’s instructions. Good stewardship should be followed throughout application and the handling, storage, transport, sowing and disposal of treated seed.

ISF’s Coordination Group Seed Related Innovation (CG SRI) brings together expertise from the seed sector and related industries to support responsible use, clear communication and science-based approaches to seed-related innovations, including treated seed and biologicals.