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The role of biostimulant seed treatments in a changing climate
Warmer temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and shifting pest and disease pressures are making crop establishment more challenging than ever. Farmers need resilient solutions to protect yield potential and ensure sustainable production. Seed treatments - especially biostimulant-based technologies - are a vital tool to help crops thrive.
Why seed treatments matter
Seed treatments provide a protective layer for seeds during their most vulnerable early stages. They help crops get off to a strong start, even when planting into cooler, wetter, or drier soils than is ideal. By combining fungicides, insecticides, and biostimulants, seed treatments can be tailored to address the specific threats of each season - whether that’s disease, pests, or abiotic stress like drought or flooding.
Biostimulants: The next step in seed technology
Biostimulant seed treatments, such as Ympact®, go beyond protection - they actively enhance plant growth and resilience. Inspired by nature and developed using advanced nutrient technology, Ympact contains humic and fulvic acids bonded with key micronutrients (zinc, copper, manganese) essential for early plant development.
How Ympact works
- Optimises nutrient uptake: Ympact’s molecular complex delivers nutrients and energy directly to the seed, supporting metabolic activity during germination.
- Speeds up emergence and improves vigour: Trials show faster, more uniform plant establishment, even in suboptimal seedbeds.
- Enhances root and shoot growth: Improved root systems help crops access water and nutrients, vital for resilience in dry or wet conditions.
- Fortifies winter hardiness: Ympact supports carbohydrate formation before winter and vegetative regrowth in spring, helping crops withstand frost and recover from stress.
Evidence from the field
Agrii’s Seed Treatment Specialist, David Leaper, notes that biostimulants like Ympact are increasingly used to bolster establishment and produce more robust crops, especially as drilling dates shift later and soil conditions deteriorate. Agrii’s trials in winter wheat have shown Ympact® performs on par with leading alternatives, with significant increases in root biomass and crop resilience.
Across Europe, Ympact has now been used on over one million hectares, with farmers reporting stronger plants, better root development, and improved recovery from stress. These results are echoed in UK trials, where Ympact increased root length in winter barley by up to 19%.
Sustainability and stewardship
Ympact®is derived from purified lignin - a natural by-product of the paper industry - supporting circular economy principles and reducing waste. Its compatibility with most fungicidal seed dressings means it can be easily integrated into existing programs, helping farmers meet sustainability goals without sacrificing performance.
Looking ahead
As climate change continues to challenge traditional farming practices, biostimulant seed treatments offer a practical, science-backed way to build crop resilience and protect yield. By supporting strong establishment, improving nutrient efficiency, and helping crops withstand stress. Ympact is set to play a central role in the future of sustainable agriculture.