Why the first few weeks decide the season
Every farmer knows that a good crop starts with a good stand. If seeds germinate unevenly, some plants race ahead while others lag behind and never catch up. Gaps in the row mean lost yield that no amount of later fertilizer or spraying can fully recover.
The first few weeks after sowing are also when the crop is most vulnerable. The seedling has only a small root system, it relies on the limited reserves inside the seed, and it often faces tough field conditions: heat at kharif sowing, cold soils in rabi, crusting after rain, or moisture stress in rainfed fields.
This is where seed treatment earns its place. It is one of the lowest-cost inputs in the whole crop budget, yet it acts at the most critical stage.
What is nutritional seed treatment?
Most farmers are familiar with seed treatment using fungicides and insecticides to protect against seed-borne and soil-borne pests and diseases. Nutritional seed treatment is different and complementary. It applies nutrients and biostimulant technologies directly to the seed so that the germinating seed and young seedling have nutrition right where they need it.
Because the amount used is small and it sits right on the seed, nutritional seed treatment is an efficient way to support the crop before roots can explore the wider soil.
Benefits of nutritional seed treatment
Better germination and plant stands
When germinating seeds have access to nutrition from day one, more of them can establish as healthy plants. A fuller stand means more productive plants per acre.
Earlier and more uniform emergence
Uniform emergence matters as much as total germination. When plants emerge together, they compete evenly for light, water and nutrients, and they reach flowering and maturity at a similar time. This makes field operations like weeding, fertilizer top-dressing, spraying and harvesting more effective.
Stronger roots from the start
Early root development helps the seedling reach soil moisture and nutrients sooner. A stronger root system at the seedling stage supports the plant through the rest of the season.
Resilience to abiotic stress at sowing
Abiotic stress means non-living stresses such as heat, cold, drought and poor soil conditions. These are common at sowing in India: high temperatures during early kharif, cold soils in late rabi sowings and dry spells after sowing in rainfed areas. Nutritional seed treatment helps seedlings cope better with these conditions during establishment.
In short, the benefits growers look for are:
- Higher germination and fuller plant stands
- Earlier, more uniform emergence
- Better early root development
- Healthier seedlings that cope better with abiotic stress
- Better nutrient uptake by young plants
Verdesian seed treatment products
Verdesian offers three seed treatment products. Each is used only as a seed treatment.
Seed 100 CL™
Seed 100 CL™ is a nutritional supplement that provides comprehensive nutrition for germinating seeds, allowing seedlings to emerge earlier and more uniformly and helping them overcome abiotic stress. Listed benefits include increased germination and plant stands, better root development and increased nutrient uptake in seedlings.
Usage notes:
- Use Seed 100 CL™ only for seed treatment.
- Do not use water – apply it dry.
- Can be used alongside all types of pesticides and fungicides.
- Planting can be done any time after treatment.
Take Off® ST
Take Off® ST is a crop nitrogen assimilator for seed treatment. It mimics a natural plant metabolite common in all crops and works inside the plant to accelerate carbon fixation and increase nitrogen uptake and use efficiency. Listed benefits include faster emergence and increased vigour, better plant stand establishment, better root development and more efficient use of nutrients.
Usage:
- Dose: 1 ml per packet of seed
- Method: Seed treatment
- Pack sizes: 10 ml, 25 ml, 100 ml, 1 L
SDM®
SDM® is a dry-powder nutritional supplement for seed treatment. It provides comprehensive nutrition for germinating seeds, helping seedlings emerge earlier and more uniformly and helping plants overcome abiotic stress. It is used on crops such as corn, groundnut, cumin, mustard and cereals.
Usage notes:
- Method: Seed treatment (dry powder)
- Pack sizes: 5 g, 10 g, 25 g, 50 g, 100 g and an 11.3 kg bucket
- Use SDM® only for seed treatment.
- Do not use water – apply it dry.
- Can be used alongside all types of pesticides and fungicides.
- Planting can be done any time after treatment.
At a glance
| Product | What it is | Application | Key usage notes | Pack sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seed 100 CL™ | Nutritional supplement for emergence and vigour | Seed treatment, apply dry | No water; compatible with pesticides and fungicides | Ask your Verdesian contact |
| Take Off® ST | Crop nitrogen assimilator | Seed treatment, 1 ml per packet of seed | – | 10 ml, 25 ml, 100 ml, 1 L |
| SDM® | Nutritional supplement | Seed treatment, dry powder | No water; compatible with pesticides and fungicides | 5 g, 10 g, 25 g, 50 g, 100 g, 11.3 kg bucket |
Good seed treatment practice
Whatever product you use, a few basics make a big difference:
- Start with good seed. Seed treatment supports quality seed; it cannot fix poor seed.
- Coat evenly. Mix seed and product thoroughly in a clean container, seed treating drum or polythene bag so every seed is covered.
- Follow the label. Use the recommended dose and method. For dry products like Seed 100 CL™ and SDM®, do not add water.
- Handle treated seed gently. Avoid rough handling that can rub off the coating.
- Check compatibility. When combining with fungicide or insecticide seed treatments, confirm compatibility from the product information.
- Keep records. Note the seed lot, product and date so you can compare results across fields.
Why this matters for dealers and seed companies
For dealers, nutritional seed treatment is a simple add-on that helps the farmer get more from expensive hybrid seed. For seed companies, small pack sizes such as SDM® in 5 g and 10 g packs and Take Off® ST in 10 ml and 25 ml packs make it practical to match treatment to individual seed packets.
Key takeaways
The crop's first few weeks set the ceiling for yield. Nutritional seed treatment supports germination, uniform emergence, early root growth and resilience to abiotic stress. Seed 100 CL™ and SDM® are dry-applied nutritional supplements compatible with pesticide and fungicide seed treatments, while Take Off® ST is a crop nitrogen assimilator used at 1 ml per packet of seed.
To choose the right seed treatment for your crop and seed, talk to a Verdesian agronomist or request our trial reports.
Frequently asked questions
What is nutritional seed treatment?
Nutritional seed treatment applies nutrients or biostimulants directly to the seed before sowing, so the germinating seed and young seedling have nutrition right where they need it. It supports germination, emergence and early root growth.
Can Seed 100 CL and SDM be mixed with water?
No. Both Seed 100 CL and SDM should be applied dry. Do not use water.
Can nutritional seed treatments be used with fungicide or insecticide seed treatments?
Seed 100 CL and SDM can be used alongside all types of pesticides and fungicides, according to their product information.
What is the dose of Take Off ST?
Take Off ST is used at 1 ml per packet of seed. It is available in 10 ml, 25 ml, 100 ml and 1 L packs.
When should I sow after treating seed with Seed 100 CL or SDM?
Planting can be done any time after treatment with Seed 100 CL or SDM.
