Key Points
- Seed treatments did not reduce the germination of good quality seed lines of either wheat or barley
- Seed treatment increased the germination of both wheat and barley lines that were infected with disease. In barley, where the seed borne disease was Dreshlera (spot blotch) all seed treatments were equally effective. In wheat, where the seed borne disease was Fusarium different seed treatments showed differences in their effectiveness to control disease
- All seed treatments except Raxil decreased the germination of seed lines that were physically damaged. In barley, Vincit most consistently reduced germination while in wheat both Vincit and Baytan seed treatments most consistently reduced germination
- Where germination was affected by seed treatment, this response was not consistent across all lines
- An accelerated ageing test can be used to identify lines which have been damaged and are more likely to be influenced by seed treatments
- Growers can get seed tested for seed borne diseases to determine the need for seed treatment and to detect damage