Seed Treatment vs. In-Furrow Applications: What’s the Difference?
Seed Treatment vs. In-Furrow Applications: What’s the Difference?
In the world of crop protection and yield optimization, growers have more tools than ever before to give their plants a strong start. Two popular methods in early-season management are seed treatment and in-furrow applications. While both are designed to protect seedlings and boost plant health, they differ in how they're applied, how they perform, and when you might choose one over the other.
Let’s break it down.
What is Seed Treatment?
Seed treatment involves applying biologicals, fungicides, insecticides, polymers, and other additives directly to the seed before it is planted. This is typically done using a commercial seed treater, either on-farm or at a professional treatment facility.
Benefits:
Targeted protection: Seedlings are protected from soilborne diseases and early pests right at emergence.
Precise dosing: Each seed receives an exact amount of product, minimizing waste.
Convenience: Once treated, seed is ready to plant without additional equipment changes or field operations.
Add-ons: Modern seed treatments can include inoculants (like UAS Surpass), biologicals (like N-Gage Power), nematicides, colorants, and growth promoters all in one pass.
Common Products:
What is In-Furrow Application?
In-furrow treatment involves placing crop protection products or nutrients directly into the seed trench at planting time. This is done using liquid systems mounted on the planter.
Benefits:
Broader coverage: Treatments are delivered into the soil around the seed, potentially offering extended protection as roots grow.
Flexible mix: A wide variety of products, including fertilizers and biologicals, can be blended into an in-furrow solution.
Immediate availability: Nutrients and biologicals are readily available to the root zone upon germination.
Considerations:
Requires calibrated in-furrow equipment.
More susceptible to weather conditions and variability in placement.
Can increase time and complexity during planting.
When Should You Use Each?
Choose Seed Treatment when:
You want a simple, consistent, and reliable option.
You’re planting seed that has already been treated by a trusted dealer.
You want to combine multiple products (fungicide, insecticide, inoculant, polymer) in a single, easy step.
Choose In-Furrow Application when:
You’re already set up with in-furrow equipment and want to apply nutrients or biologicals at planting.
You’re targeting specific soil conditions or trying to deliver nutrients deeper into the root zone.
Can You Use Both?
Absolutely. Many growers use a combination of seed treatment and in-furrow applications to stack protection and optimize plant health. For example, you might use:
A base fungicide + insecticide + inoculant seed treatment.
Followed by in-furrow biologicals (like N-Gage Power) or starter fertilizers to extend the benefits.
This layered approach helps support germination, protect roots, and reduce early-season stress.
Final Thoughts
Both seed treatments and in-furrow applications are powerful tools in your crop management playbook. Whether you’re defending against early-season pests, boosting nutrient uptake, or laying the groundwork for better yield potential, understanding the difference between these two methods will help you build the best program for your operation.
At Unified Ag Solutions, we’re here to help you choose the right tools for your fields. From industry-leading seed treatments like N-Compass and Surpass to foliar and in-furrow products like N-Gage Power, our reps are ready to help you build a custom plan that works.
Ready to talk seed treatment strategy?
📞 Call 888-402-4787
📧 Email info@unifiedag.com
🔗 Learn more: https://unifiedagsolutions.com