Chandler Dry Seed Treat and Liquid Seed Treat enhance seed germination and early root growth in all seeded crops. The ingredients include micronutrients, enzymes, and plant growth hormones, and the products are natural and non-toxic. Dry Seed Treat and Liquid Seed Treat have a long shelf life and may be used with other seed treatments. Treated seedlings often emerge 1-2 days earlier and have deeper root systems. Later in the season, treated plants generate more plant sugar to deter insects, have fewer disease problems, and are less susceptible to drought or other stress.
What are the expected yield gains from these seed treatments?
Over the years, we have conducted many on-farm side-by-side trials with the Chandler seed treatments. The long-run average yield gains are stated in the center column of the table. When the crops are under drought conditions or other extreme stress, we often see much larger yield differences as reported in the column on the right.
| Crop | Long-run average | Drought years |
| Corn | +6.5 BPA | +40 BPA |
| Soybeans | +4 BPA | +15 BPA |
| Wheat | +5 BPA | +20 BPA |
What differences can I expect to see in treated plants?
Treated soybeans plants have longer tap roots and more fine lateral roots. By digging plants on farms during the growing season, we find that treated plants usually have 30-40% more nodules than untreated plants, which increases the amount of fixed nitrogen by about 15 pounds per acre. By harvest, treated plants have more pods per plant, more beans per pod, and 1-2 pounds higher test weight.
Wheat, oats, rye, and other other small grains that are treated with the Chandler seed treatments tend to have deeper root systems, more tillers and heads, and taller stalks. Fall-seeded crops like winter wheat tend to have higher plant sugar levels, which reduces winter kill and insect problems.
The following pictures show black mustard plants, which are members of the Brassica family. Here, the plants on the right were treated with Chandler Dry Seed Treat. These plants emerged one day earlier and were 2 inches taller and greener than the untreated mustard plants. The most important difference is evident in the root systems, which are shown in closer detail in the second photo below.
Application rate and per-acre cost for Dry Seed Treat?
The following cost estimates are based on Chandler Dry Seed Treat priced at full retail for one bucket ($200) and with seasonal and volume discounts ($160). We assume 80,000 kernel units for corn planted at 32,000 seeds per acre, 140,000 seed units for soybeans planted at one unit per acre, wheat and other small grains sowed at 90 pounds per acre, and alfalfa and small-seeded covers sowed at 20 pounds per acre.
| Crop | Rate | One 15# bucket treats | Cost per acre |
| Corn | 4 ounces per bag/unit | 150 acres | $1.10 to $1.35 |
| Soybeans | 4 ounces per bag/unit | 60 acres | $2.65 to $3.35 |
| Wheat and small grains | 4 ounces per bushel | 40 acres | $4.00 to $5.00 |
| Alfalfa, clover, hairy vetch, and small-seeded covers | 8 ounces per bushel | 90 acres | $1.75 to $2.25 |
Application rate and per-acre cost for Liquid Seed Treat?
The following cost estimates are based on Chandler Liquid Seed Treat priced at full retail for one gallon ($162) and with seasonal and volume discounts ($125). The assumed seeding rates for the various crops are the same as used for Dry Seed Treat.
| Crop | Rate | One gallon treats | Cost per acre |
| Corn | 2 ounces per bag/unit | 160 acres | $0.80 to $1.00 |
| Soybeans | 2 ounces per bag/unit | 64 acres | $1.95 to $2.55 |
| Wheat and small grains | 2 ounces per bushel | 43 acres | $2.90 to $3.75 |
| Alfalfa, clover, hairy vetch, and small-seeded covers | 4 ounces per bushel | 96 acres | $1.30 to $1.70 |
How can I build on this boost to seed germination?
We recommend using Chandler Foliar to build on the early-season boost provided by the Chandler seed treatments. When applied to plant foliage, Chandler Foliar enhances photosynthesis and improves yields in a wide range of crops.
Why does Liquid Seed Treat cost less than Dry Seed Treat?
The ingredients of both Chandler seed treatments are the same, but Dry Seed Treat includes a dry carrier that adheres to the seed coat. The cost difference between the two products is due to the presence of this dry carrier in Dry Seed Treat.
Based on our on-farm tests conducted over the past 30 years, Liquid Seed Treat generates the same yield gains and other benefits that we have seen with Dry Seed Treat. The cost difference is a few cents per acre on most crops, so we generally recommend that you choose the product formulation that is most convenient for you.
What if I need graphite for my seed meters or finger pickups?
Chandler Dry Seed Treat can be mixed with graphite if you need to lubricate seed meters or finger mechanisms. Many of our customers mix about 3-4 pounds of graphite into each 15# bucket prior to planting, which provides an approximate 20% graphite blend.