Seed treatment
Encyclopedia
In agriculture
, a seed treatment or seed dressing is a chemical, typically antimicrobial or fungidal, with which seeds are treated (or "dressed") prior to planting. One such seed dressing, Imidacloprid
, from the Neonicotinoid family of insecticides, is controversial and has been banned in France, due to that government's belief that the chemical is implicated in recent dramatic drops in bee counts
, and possibly in the so-called Colony Collapse Disorder
.
In order to qualify for the United States Department of Agriculture
Organic certification
, farmers must seek out organic seed. If they cannot find organic seed, they are allowed to use conventional, untreated seed. Treated seed however, is never allowed.
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
, a seed treatment or seed dressing is a chemical, typically antimicrobial or fungidal, with which seeds are treated (or "dressed") prior to planting. One such seed dressing, Imidacloprid
Imidacloprid
Imidacloprid is a nicotine-based, systemic insecticide, which acts as a neurotoxin and belongs to a class of chemicals called the neonicotinoids. Although it is now off patent, the primary manufacturer of this chemical is Bayer CropScience,...
, from the Neonicotinoid family of insecticides, is controversial and has been banned in France, due to that government's belief that the chemical is implicated in recent dramatic drops in bee counts
Pollinator decline
The term pollinator decline refers to the reduction in abundance of pollinators in many ecosystems worldwide during the end of the twentieth century....
, and possibly in the so-called Colony Collapse Disorder
Colony Collapse Disorder
Colony collapse disorder is a phenomenon in which worker bees from a beehive or European honey bee colony abruptly disappear. While such disappearances have occurred throughout the history of apiculture, the term colony collapse disorder was first applied to a drastic rise in the number of...
.
In order to qualify for the United States Department of Agriculture
United States Department of Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture is the United States federal executive department responsible for developing and executing U.S. federal government policy on farming, agriculture, and food...
Organic certification
Organic certification
Organic certification is a certification process for producers of organic food and other organic agricultural products. In general, any business directly involved in food production can be certified, including seed suppliers, farmers, [food] processors, retailers and restaurants.Requirements vary...
, farmers must seek out organic seed. If they cannot find organic seed, they are allowed to use conventional, untreated seed. Treated seed however, is never allowed.