Seeds (Seed coatings)
Try our minerals additives to improve seed homogeneity, integrity and seeding production.
Mineral coatings for improved seed performance
Seeds are coated for ease of handling, singulation, precision placement and the incorporation of beneficial chemicals or microbials. Coated seeds are accepted widely as a standard product for many crops.
Our minerals improve seed homogeneity, integrity and seeding production. They are used in seed encrusting and pelleting to improve:
- Colour
- Lubrication
- Increase seed size/weight
- Addition of pesticides/inoculants
- Improve seed placement and germination rate = “stand establishment”
- Vegetables, “forage”, cotton, tobacco, sugar beet
- Minerals used as pigments, pigment extenders, resin extenders
Our minerals can also be used in film coating or seed enhancement, to improve:
- Colour – all genetically modified seeds need to be coloured for identification
- Lubrication
- Addition of pesticides/inoculants
- Minerals used as pigments, pigment extenders, resin extenders
- Low cost seed builder, increasing seed dimensions, easier to handle
- Achieves better seed to soil contact
- Less puddling of seed
- Penetrates stubble and thatch
Recommended grades
- MicroWhite 100
- CP Filler
- Biogenic amorphous silica, disks or drums; dependent on diatom species
- Rigid but porous structure
- Lower bulk density/high porosity than limestone
- Lower mass for same coating thickness
- Effective carrier or diluent pre-mix for active ingredients
- Increases oxygen and water transport to seed after planting
Recommended grades
- Diafil 630
- Celite 209
- Friable but porous structure
- Lower bulk density / high porosity than limestone
- Lower mass for same coating thickness
- Increases oxygen and water transport to seed after planting
Recommended grades
- Harborlite 635
- Flow aid at very low addition rates
- Liquid pesticide carrier
- Carries hydrophobic components into the hydrophilic formulation
Recommended grades
- Micro-Cel® E
- Improves seed flow rate and seeder application control
- Improves the uniformity of seed size, making seed application more consistent and reducing overseeding
- Reduces abrasiveness and planter equipment wear
- Creates a moisture barrier preventing premature germination of seeds in wet soils
- Maintains moisture levels in seeds promoting germination in dry soils
- Has a lower pH than limestone, reducing seed germination pH issues
- Lengthens seed shelf life
- Ensures the right dose of colouring on seeds coat and that colour film is even
- Minimizes colouring oiliness
- Does not inhibit growth additives
Talc is also an excellent carrier for all types of seed additives such as fungicides, herbicides, and nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
Recommended grades
- Luzenac 2
- Luzenac H60
