Seed treatments is the process involving the implementation of various biological, physical and chemical agents to seed that give protection and also helps in improving the process of establishing healthy crops.

Optimizing production initiates with genetics and ensuring that the plants are protected from pests and disease. Often this is done by breeding pest and disease resistant varieties, further protecting the crops over its growth cycle. However, breeding alone does not address all the challenges that come across farmers, it also means that various products for crop protection are often used to help in better nad enhanced crop management.

The products used for of Crop

Seed treatments is the process involving the implementation of various biological, physical and chemical agents to seed that give protection and also helps in improving the process of establishing healthy crops.

Optimizing production initiates with genetics and ensuring that the plants are protected from pests and disease. Often this is done by breeding pest and disease resistant varieties, further protecting the crops over its growth cycle. However, breeding alone does not address all the challenges that come across farmers, it also means that various products for crop protection are often used to help in better nad enhanced crop management.

The products used for of Crop protection are applied at the time of growth of the crop. At times it is also added to the planting of seed. Seed treatments further play an important role in growing of the healthy crops. By applying these products the seed is often directly it become more efficient and effective in crop protection. It is extremely important to be apply these products in agreement to the guidelines shared by manufacturers. Also, the guidelines to practice good at every stage of the product cycles.

Various Seed Treatment Practices

Seeds are treated with fungicides, rodenticides and insecticides. Moreover the amount of seed varies depending on the crop and region. For example, across US, various corn and peanut seeds undergo a fungicide treatment. Wheat, potato and cotton seed treatments are large with average of 58% of the US seed treatment.

The wheat seed treatment is different and depended on the geographic area. It has only 15% of wheat that is likely to be treated. The treatment of soybean seeds is comparatively less prevalent. These seeds lose their feasibility for planting post 12 months and can’t be sold for the use in other food products. Especially once they are treated with pesticides. Thus causing a large amount of seed treatment just before planting it.

Research at some instances indicate close to negligible seed treatment, whereas others report a variety of soybean seed treatment. In the regions of US among 10-48% with an average of almost 28%.

Implication for fungicide exposure assessment

Farmers are constantly in contact with fungicides by use of personal application and using treated seeds. Most importantly studies point towards personal application resulting in exposure. Here the impact of possible exposure due to use of treated seed is being studied and analyzed.

Fungicides are often used in seeds to protect them from disease. Farmers are exposed to fungicides with the help of personal application and use of treated seed. Depending on the crop type the seeds are treated. Seeds treatments are popular across various distributors, famers or at certain stage in both segments. Across small fields, the fungicide exposure that is linked to treated seed is documented the farming activities. This further transfers wheat and barley seed within containers.

Application of treated seed is popular in number of commercial crops and personal applications. In the Agricultural Health Study (AHS), a study of the farmers in Iowa (IA) and North Carolina (NC), regions was done. As a result 35% of the over 50,000 farmers reported using fungicides. Whereas only 90% reported ingraining a crop that could have treated seed.

The planting and handling of treated seed are does not factor the personal exposure to fungicides among farmers. Thus, increasing the number of farmers who have been exposed. Fungicides are largely used thus impacting various farmers in the process. Since fungicides are useful in various seeds hence the risk of exposure to farmers is more.

Methods

Seed Treatment Does

To evaluate the secondary fungicide exposure, data collection was done over various treatment practices. This is mainly with respect to crops, chemicals and other crop treatments. Often crops contain seeds and distributors working on some specific crops. The data was gathered from various collection was done over various seed distributor and profiles of crops.

History of crops and Fungicide Use

AHS gave the data for generation pesticide history and crop production activities. A large study and analysis of certified pesticide applicators and their spouses in IA and NC was done. On an average 80% of certified pesticide applicators was researched in the period of 1993 to 1997. Information was given regarding use of pesticide that also included data on crops raised, fungicides, planting, and other farming practices.

Application of crops raised and pesticide information was further gathered separately and thus, pesticide use on a specific crop was unavailable. This analysis will use data collected from various answers collected through questionnaire. The total questionnaire filled were from approximately 52,000 using farmers. Among these almost 60% of the unit was living in IA and was involved in planting of corn and soybean.

Effect of Secondary Fungicide Exposure

Secondary fungicide experience in the AHS was inspected by analyzing the amount that is owing to the exposure to application only. On calculation of the amount of raising crops, reporting applying fungicides and the relevant percentage not reporting use of fungicides.

Possible minor fungicide experience was identified by multiplying the individuals not using fungicide by the normal percent of seed treatment for the crop. This is likely to reflect those individuals who will not report fungicide applications. Due to the exposure to fungicides seed treatment is classified as United States overall and for NC and IA. Corn seed was treated with Captan for decades and likely secondary exposure was eliminated. This was owing to the number of farmers planting corn and reporting the use of captan.