By Clint Thompson
Seed treatments are a vital part of the peanut production season. How peanut seeds are treated before being planted in the ground can set a grower up for success.
Kannar and Albaugh hosted a field tour this week with the University of Georgia to showcase new technologies in development that will boost plant seed production.
Andy Hurst, the business development lead for Kannar Earth Science, discussed the importance of seed treatment research, which is being conducted on the UGA Tifton Campus.
“Obviously, the seed applied market segment in peanuts today is handled by the sheller treaters who basically provide the peanut seed supply to the grower for the next season. Our seed treatment plot work at the University of Georgia is focused on our current commercial brand; Peanut Prep 2.6. It has significant market share in the U.S. market,” Hurst said.
“Certainly, we’re looking to build on that and improve the efficacy and satisfaction of growers using that treatment when they purchase the seed from their seed supplier. Our goals with the University of Georgia research is to ensure our base four-way fungicide package (of Albaugh premium components) continues to perform at a very high level versus other commercial standards and measure the value of new technologies we have in development.”
Kannar Research
Hurst stressed that Kannar’s research is focused on value-added technologies to improve early growth in the peanut plant, vigor, and abiotic stress resistance which can occur due to dry weather, nutrient issues or nematodes. “Our Peanut Prep One and Done package includes four foundational fungicides, KAN EGV(early growth/vigor, pigment, fast drying polymer, and finisher for improved seed flow…all in a single blend mixture). This enables significant efficiency and accuracy for the treater.”Â
Kannar has led in the industry transition from dry powder seed treatments to liquid seed treatments that have become the industry standard.
“Kannar did a lot of work with sheller/treatments to work through seed handling plant design, treater set-up, and product treatment quality,” said Hurst. “It is unique in servicing the entire process for best results.”
“Ultimately, what we’re looking to do is ensure the grower has very uniform, vigorous healthy stands of peanuts with few skips. With tomato spotted wilt virus being such a big factor, getting to canopy quickly with a uniformed stand is one of the best things a grower can do to optimize the opportunity for high yields and quality,” Hurst added. “We have huge respect for UGA and Dr. (Tim) Brenneman, who have been foremost in providing research to guide Kannar R&D.”
Importance of Seed Treatments
UGA plant pathologist Tim Brenneman highlighted the importance of seed treatment research on the UGA Tifton Campus.
“We have a seed that’s a large, fragile seed. Any mechanical injury can increase the chance that those fungi are going to be able to grow and get a foothold. You also have the pathogens in the soil,” Brenneman said. “All of those would love to attack that peanut seed and seedling as it’s germinating. Our main line of defense against that are the chemical seed treatments.”