Treated seed has a better start in life

    At DLF we're constantly pushing performance boundaries with new varieties of grass seed offering improved characteristics. Even so, customers often prefer to spend a bit more so that they can sow treated versions of those seeds. They're making a sound investment because sowing conditions vary from farm to farm and from year to year. Treated seed has a much better chance of thriving under adverse conditions when untreated seed might fail.

    Types of seed treatment

    Seed treatment terminology
    Plant Nutrition    
    ProNitro®

    The ultimate seed treatment (encrusted) 
    with Nitrogen

    		 4 times more efficient use of fertilizers
    (feed the seed not the weed!)
    Growth Enhancers    
    Headstart Seed treatment with sea weed extracts,
    proteins, enzymes    		 More and healthier seedlings
    Protection    
    ProLime  Seed treatment with lime (encrusted) Better establishment and minimizing
    moss due to pH effect


    Treated seed performs better

    • Improved plant nutrition
    • Better establishment
    • Faster germination
    • Protection against insects and diseases
    • Protection against abiotic stress


    Pays for itself

    Treated seed costs more than untreated. Greenkeepers and groundsmen who make that additional investment find that it pays for itself.

    • Reduces the risk of a poor result
    • Makes efficient use of chemical and fertiliser inputs – direct contact feeds the seeds not the weeds
    • Gives weeds less chance to establish
    • Requires less chemical and fertiliser input – better for the environment
    • Colourants reduce losses through bird picking
    • Finishers improve the flow of seeds through a sowing machine


    DLF Seed Treatment Technology

    DLF Professional Seed Technology® covers a range of technical developments that support young grass plants during their early, most vulnerable stages of life.

    The following table lists the range of standard DLF seed treatments applicable to any seed or mixture. 

    Types of seed treatment

    Seed technology terminology
    Technology   Active Ingredient Binder Color Finish
    Treated The active ingredient adheres
    well to the seed, so no need for
    additional binders    		 +      
    Film Coated When adding a powdered
    substance, an adhesive element may
    be needed to keep it on the
    seed during transport and
    sowing    		 + + (+)  
    Encrusted When higher quantities of an
    active ingredient are required,
    it is often necessary to add
    extra filler materials to obtain a
    firm coating. The shape of the
    original seed is visible    		 + + + +
    Pelleted Is encrusted seed with the only
    difference that the original
    shape of the seed is no longer
    visible. The end product is a
    round ball    		 + + + +