b'ADAM WHALENR&D PROCESS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS LEAD, GLOBAL/U.S. SEED TREATMENT R&D, BASFdaniel.adam.whalen@basf.comagriculture.basf.us/crop-protection/use-areas/seed-treatment.htmlPlanting the Seeds of Sustainability WHEN IT COMESto sustainability, its not about adopting4. Develop and Optimize Seed Coating Applicationsone sweeping change. To help solve for the needs of today andSeed coating applications can decrease dusting off of active prepare for future generations, its about many small changesingredients and therefore help reduce the potential of off-target that add up to something big. With seed treatment, those small,exposure to active ingredients. Seed coatings can also improve sustainable changes can start before seed ever meets soil.plantability assuring accurate planting rates in the field. Fortunately, there are many sustainable practices already in place or ready to be adopted across labs, greenhouses, field5. Assist Customers with Full-Scale Application Testing trials, and corporate offices. These practices occur at every stepand Calibration Issuesof the process from research and development through launch,Coordinating with customers to troubleshoot application issues with benefits extending to the environment, customers, and theensures that products are correctly functioning to meet cus-value chain.tomer needs and minimize wasted product. When seed treat-We can break these practices down into two categories: 1)ment products are applied incorrectly, there is potential for those that pertain to seed treatment efficacy/use, and 2) thoseeither a negative impact on efficacy or the environment.related to seed treatment formulation. Seed Treatment Formulation Sustainability PracticesSeed Treatment Efficacy/Use Sustainability Practices 1. Conduct Full-Time Shelf-Life StudiesThe following are some sustainable efficacy/use practicesConducting these studies promotes storability in diverse condi-achievable within the seed treatment industry that are vital fortions, reducing the need to dispose of old product. both environmental and economic sustainability. 2. Choose Sustainably Sourced Inerts when Possible1. Complete Early Biology Studies in a Select inerts based on their low environmental impact when Lab/Greenhouse First possible.This reduces potential exposure of newly developed chemistries to the environment and end users while establishing benefit tar- 3. Create Highly Concentrated Productsgets. Once developed in a controlled setting, more precise ratesCreating highly concentrated products results in a smaller trans-can be used in field trials. portation and storage footprint. Utilizing highly concentrated products also allows for optimization and improvements of what 2. Develop Pest-Specific Rates can be put on the seed, meaning there is more room on the Using the optimal rate for both efficacy and the environmentseed for protection and growth seed treatment products.prevents excess compounds from being wasted in the field and potentially overexposing the environment as a result. 4. Make Packaging Decisions WiselyWhen deciding on packaging, make sure to consider safe trans-3. Thoroughly Test for Seed Safety and Storabilityport, ease of use by customers, and minimal potential customer Seed safety testing ensures the seed treatment products put onexposure. Doing so means less potential exposure to end users the seed, as well as new active ingredient sources, do not nega- and the environment. tively impact germination, either acutely or chronically. It alsoThis list is not exhaustive, but hopefully, it gives a glimpse into verifies that viable mixtures of products do not have a damag- practices that could make a big difference. Because one small ing effect when combined on the seed. This is tested in a rangechange at a time is a step towards a more sustainable future. of conditions (stressful and ideal) to prepare for any situation that could or would occur in the field. JUNE 2022SEEDWORLD.COM /29'