The break in planting progress due to the recent cold and wet spell has some of you wondering what happens with the vigor of seed that was treated with a seed treatment but which you have not planted yet. In general there are no problems expected for short-term storage – from several days up to one or two months - of seed treated with a seed treatment as long as the seed is stored under cool and dry conditions. A little caution is warranted for seed that has been treated with products that contain both imazalil and lindane.

Seed treatments containing lindane will adversely impact seed vigor if stored for longer periods. In addition, lindane will evaporate over time and the efficacy of the seed treatment decreases. In general, the label will state to not carry over seed treated with lindane to the next crop season and to minimize the time between treating and planting. Seed treatments containing imazalil generally reduce the length of the sub crown internode. Thus combination of imazalil and lindane may result in delayed emergence and stunting of wheat and barley. However plants will usually outgrow this effect.

Thus, the best recommendation for seed that has been treated with one or both products is to:

1) Pay close attention to your seeding depth and make sure that you stay close to the 1.5 inch recommendation;

2) Increase your expected stand loss by 5% to adjust for any loss in seed vigor that could impact germination and initial plant population.