POLYMERS BRING VERSATILITY TO CROPPING SYSTEMS
(Reprinted from Seed World, February 10, 2002)
By Frank Zaworski
The increasing popularity in the seed market for polymer seed coatings is both a tribute to their effectiveness and a salute to the companies who development them and the companies that provide them to the seed trade. Just a few short years ago, seed coating polymers were relegated to a few high end niche markets. Today, polymers providing a fairly broad range of functions are finding their way onto major agronomic species "The trend is definitely toward more use of polymers in field crops such as corn, soybeans, and alfalfa," says Dr. John Walsh, of CelPril®. The challenge was to develop new polymers that can be efficaciously employed on these high volume crops. It is usually the market, of course, that drives in agricultural technology and the seed industry has certainly provided the impetus for the development of new coating materials. As seed becomes more technologically complex, and higher in value, thanks to the science of biotechnology , seed companies gain a greater need to protect the seed from disease, insects, and adverse planting conditions.
"We are trying to develop products based on the needs of our customers," says Bill Romp, Becker Underwood. "As the value of seed grows, seed treatment gains in importance. In the days ahead, we will see a broader range of treatments as the seed market grows in value." Secure polymer seed conditioner film and CF Clear polymer seed film from Becker Underwood are good examples of polymers that provide distinct benefits to the customers. Polymers come in several types and have a variety of uses. Natural polymers are constructed of substances such as cellulose and rubber. Man made polymer seed coatings can be made from nylon fibers, paints and plastics. One of the unique new uses for polymers is as a device that can control the timing of germination.
COATING FIELD CROPS
An example of this type of polymer seed coating that is finding its niche in the field crops market, seed corn specifically, is the Intellicoat polymer seed coating from Landec Ag. The Intellicoat product, derived from natural fatty acids, allows the producer to plant earlier than previously safely possible because it can regulate when the seed is freed to take up the needed moisture to spark germination. According to Landec literature, Intellicoat polymers have a "built in temperature switch that regulates some of the basic properties of the polymer." The temperature switch is set by how the polymer is prepared, and, once set, it can regulate when the polymer is permeable or impermeable to moisture.
"There are many folks touting the advantages of polymers today," says Cliff Watrin of Syngenta Seed Treatment, "and we are screening many of them to see how they might work with our fungicide and insecticide products. We screen these products just like we do our own and seed companies should do the same. Polymers, and any other seed treatment, should be screened for things such as safety to workers, dust control, safety to the seed, and plantability. Seed companies need to keep in mind that polymers can have many benefits, but they need to be tested carefully just like any ingredient. The future of polymer seed coating films seems wide open. Says John Walsh, "In the days and years ahead we will see polymers that provide better flowability, have better adhesion for dust control, and polymers that work with an active ingredient to extend its use or time its release. I expect we will see polymers being used in expanded horticultural applications such as on tree seeds. Polymers can also have use on native grass seeds and such for revegetation efforts where seed are planted into highly stressful conditions." Whatever directions they take, polymer seed coatings will surely provide the seed industry with some exciting possibilities.
Frank Zaworski is managing editor for Seed World.
last updated: Monday, September 11, 2006
