Picking out seed treatments is like predicting the weather. You can turn on the news, hear a forecast for rain, and bring a rain jacket. But there’s often no guarantee it will rain, you’re just prepared for it. When it comes to seed treatments, you can work with a professional to create a seed treatment program based on the previous year’s conditions. Yet, it’s hard to predict what your fields will come up against each planting season.
One investment growers should add to their seed treatment plan every year is a carbon-rich microbial food to supercharge the spermosphere. The spermosphere is a short-lived, microbial- distinct zone around the seed. Seedling establishment and germination is a crucial window where growers can be faced with a limited resources and poor habitat suitability to reduce seed vulnerability, feed microbes, and leverage the microbial communities that influence seed development and optimize plant vigor.
Activated microbes in the spermosphere support germination, stand establishment, and yield production—and increase ROI. They are also your seed’s first “real-world” point of contact, ensure it’s a good one.
A microalgae superfood can provide a high-quality carbon source around the seed to improve seed-microbe associations. As your seed grows, microbial partners are key for seedling establishment, improving plant stand, and helping with abiotic stress. Microbes provide these benefits through improved nutrient uptake, optimized soil conditions, and releasing antioxidants.
For crops like winter wheat, this can mean establishing a stronger stand before dormancy and a higher tolerance for winter kill.
What happens if you don’t supercharge your spermosphere? Seeds and soil microbes have a symbiotic relationship. Microbes free up nitrogen and potassium for your crops. Seeds support microbes by providing carbon from their seed coat. The carbon on your seed’s coat is not enough to feed the microbes throughout germination. Thus, growers should consider adding a microalgae-based microbial food application to their seed treatment program to wake up and feed dormant microbes.
If you don’t, you’ll be missing out on 75% of your seed and soil microbes supporting your crops.
In multiple trials, adding a microalgae superfood to supercharge the spermosphere, has been found to increase ROI.
In 13 locations, corn with a supercharged spermosphere produced a 4.4% increase in bu/acre over growers’ standard.
In 17 locations, soybeans with a supercharged spermosphere produced a 8.4% increase in bu/acre over growers’ standard.
In 5 locations, wheat with a supercharged spermosphere produced a 4.9% increase in bu/acre over growers’ standard.
While it’s always a good idea to be prepared for whatever kind of weather may come, supercharging your spermosphere is like putting on your favorite pair of boots before you start your day.
It’s less about the weather, and more about what makes you comfortable and gets the job done. By applying a microalgae superfood you’ll be supporting your seed and soil microbes’ comfort and ability to get the job done.
Make a plan to supercharge your spermosphere with a microalgae superfood before your next planting season.
