Testing Seed Treatments for Multiple Environments
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“Farming doesn’t happen when it’s 70 degrees and sunny. It’s never perfect.” Mark Howieson Technical Service Manager, Seed Applied Technologies, Corteva Agriscience understands that what works in lab conditions doesn’t always work for farmers in the field. This is why it’s so important for seed treatments to be evaluated in real-world conditions. One of the ways Corteva Seed Applied Technologies does this is by testing seed treatments in an environmental chamber. The chamber allows Corteva researchers to screen seed treatments in the wide range of conditions faced by seed treatment applicators and farmers around the world. The 16 x 20-foot chamber can replicate temperatures from 35° F to 115° F, and humidity anywhere from 5-80%. “We can replicate a spring day in Iowa, or Saskatchewan or Mexico,” Howieson said.
One of the biggest potential issues in planting treated seed is planting precision. If treated seed sticks together, there could be skips or seeds might be doubled-up in the planting process. Environmental chamber testing checks for factors like flowability and seed singularity, to help ensure that treated seed won’t gum up in storage or in the planter. Thanks to extensive testing, including environmental chamber evaluations, both seed treatment applicators and farmers can feel confident in the quality and performance of Corteva seed treatments.