Methods of seed treatment and their importance Part 2

Question No. 1 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

Which of the following is a primary reason for the decline in the effectiveness of a seed treatment over long-term storage?

A. The color of the seed fades away.
B. The seed becomes physically harder.
C. Chemical degradation of the active ingredient and loss of seed viability.
D. The seed develops natural immunity to the treatment.

Question No. 2 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

What is 'fluid drilling' in the context of seed treatment?

A. A method of drilling seeds deep into the soil using water pressure.
B. Planting pre-germinated seeds suspended in a protective gel.
C. A technique for cleaning seeds with high-pressure liquid.
D. The process of applying liquid fertilizer directly onto the seed during planting.

Question No. 3 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

A systemic fungicide applied as a seed treatment is beneficial because:

A. It only protects the outer seed coat.
B. It is absorbed by the seedling and translocated through its tissues, protecting new growth.
C. It is cheaper than all other types of fungicides.
D. It kills beneficial soil microbes.

Question No. 4 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

What is the main purpose of inoculating legume seeds with *Bradyrhizobium*?

A. To protect against insect pests.
B. To induce early flowering in the plant.
C. To facilitate symbiotic nitrogen fixation.
D. To increase the physical size of the seed.

Question No. 5 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

Which physical seed treatment method uses gamma rays or electron beams to eliminate pathogens?

A. Sonication
B. Irradiation
C. Hydro-priming
D. Aerated steam treatment

Question No. 6 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

What is the 'mode of action' for a neonicotinoid insecticide like clothianidin when used as a seed treatment?

A. It acts as a physical barrier against insects.
B. It repels insects with a strong odor.
C. It disrupts the central nervous system of insects that feed on the seedling.
D. It smothers the insect eggs laid on the seed.

Question No. 7 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

Why is a 'sticker-spreader' agent sometimes included in a seed treatment slurry?

A. To make the seeds glow in the dark.
B. To improve adhesion to the seed coat and ensure uniform coverage.
C. To act as the primary insecticide.
D. To provide essential micronutrients to the seed.

Question No. 8 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

What is the primary risk associated with treating seeds on-farm without proper equipment?

A. The seeds will not be colored correctly.
B. Uneven application leading to phytotoxicity in some seeds and lack of protection in others.
C. The treatment process will be too slow.
D. The seeds will become too dry.

Question No. 9 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

Solid matrix priming (SMP) uses which of the following to control seed hydration?

A. A concentrated salt solution
B. Pure water at a high temperature
C. A solid, water-absorbent material like vermiculite
D. A biological inoculum like Trichoderma

Question No. 10 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

A farmer notices that their seedlings are damping-off (rotting at the soil line). Which type of seed treatment would have been most effective in preventing this?

A. An insecticide treatment.
B. A nematicide treatment.
C. A fungicide treatment effective against *Pythium* or *Rhizoctonia*.
D. A nutrient-only treatment.

Question No. 11 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

What is the main environmental concern associated with neonicotinoid seed treatments?

A. They increase soil salinity.
B. They can contribute to the decline of pollinator populations like bees.
C. They release large amounts of greenhouse gases.
D. They cause ozone layer depletion.

Question No. 12 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

What does the term 'seed vigour' refer to?

A. The genetic purity of the seed.
B. The sum of properties that determine the potential for rapid, uniform emergence and development under a wide range of field conditions.
C. The hardness of the seed coat.
D. The price of the seed.

Question No. 13 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

Which of the following is a benefit of film coating over seed pelleting?

A. Film coating drastically changes the seed's shape.
B. Film coating allows for a precise application of active ingredients with minimal weight addition.
C. Film coating is designed to make the seed germinate slower.
D. Film coating is only for large seeds.

Question No. 14 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

Why might a seed treatment package for canola (oilseed rape) often include a fungicide for blackleg and an insecticide for flea beetles?

A. To improve the oil content of the seed.
B. Because these are two of the most significant and common early-season threats to canola establishment.
C. To satisfy government regulations on seed color.
D. To make the seeds taste better for animal feed.

Question No. 15 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

What is the role of a colorant in treated seeds, besides being a warning?

A. It provides nutrients to the seedling.
B. It helps ensure uniform application by making coverage visible.
C. It attracts beneficial insects.
D. It hardens the seed coat.

Question No. 16 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

How does 'halo-priming' work?

A. By exposing seeds to a halo of light.
B. By soaking seeds in a solution of an inorganic salt.
C. By coating seeds with a halo-like layer of polymer.
D. By priming seeds with beneficial bacteria.

Question No. 17 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

Which factor is LEAST likely to affect the decision to use a seed treatment?

A. The crop being planted.
B. The historical pest and disease pressure in a specific field.
C. The final color of the flowers produced by the plant.
D. The cost of the treatment versus the expected return on investment.

Question No. 18 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

What type of organism is *Trichoderma harzianum*, often used in biological seed treatments?

A. A nitrogen-fixing bacterium.
B. A plant growth-promoting fungus that can also act as a biocontrol agent.
C. A type of nematode that attacks insect larvae.
D. A virus that infects harmful bacteria.

Question No. 19 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

If a seed lot has a low germination percentage but high vigour, what does this imply?

A. The seeds are dead.
B. The seeds that do germinate are likely to be strong and perform well.
C. The seeds are small.
D. The seeds have a very hard coat.

Question No. 20 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

What is a potential negative consequence of the widespread use of a single systemic fungicide as a seed treatment?

A. It can lead to the development of fungicide-resistant pathogen populations.
B. It will make the soil too fertile.
C. It will eliminate all insects from the field.
D. It improves the soil structure.

Question No. 21 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

What is 'thermo-priming'?

A. Priming seeds using extremely cold temperatures.
B. A treatment that involves hydrating seeds at specific, often elevated, temperatures to improve germination.
C. A method to make seeds resistant to fire.
D. Applying a thermal-sensitive polymer coating.

Question No. 22 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

Which of the following would NOT be considered a direct benefit of seed treatment?

A. Improved handling and plantability of seeds.
B. Protection from early-season pests and diseases.
C. Enhanced germination and stand uniformity.
D. Increased market price for the harvested commodity.

Question No. 23 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

What is the purpose of applying a nematicide as a seed treatment?

A. To control fungal diseases.
B. To control plant-parasitic nematodes in the soil that attack the roots.
C. To provide nitrogen to the seedling.
D. To repel birds.

Question No. 24 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

Why is seed treatment considered a more environmentally targeted approach than broadcast spraying?

A. It uses more chemicals in total.
B. It places a small, concentrated amount of pesticide precisely where it's needed - on and around the seed and seedling.
C. It is only effective for one day.
D. It is always organic.

Question No. 25 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

In the context of seed treatments, what does 'MRL' stand for?

A. Minimum Resistance Level
B. Maximum Residue Limit
C. Major Root Lesion
D. Moisture Removal Level

Question No. 26 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

What is the primary function of a polymer used in film coating?

A. To act as a pesticide.
B. To provide a bridge between the seed coat and the active ingredients, ensuring they stick.
C. To make the seed transparent.
D. To add significant weight to the seed.

Question No. 27 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

A farmer wants to grow legumes in a field for the first time. Why is a rhizobial inoculant seed treatment particularly important?

A. The soil will be too hard for the seeds.
B. The specific rhizobia required for that legume are likely absent from the soil.
C. The field will have too many insects.
D. The seeds will be too small to plant otherwise.

Question No. 28 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

Which of the following is an example of 'bio-priming'?

A. Soaking seeds in a solution of gibberellic acid.
B. Coating seeds with a dry powder fungicide.
C. Inoculating seeds with a beneficial microorganism like *Pseudomonas fluorescens* and then hydrating them.
D. Exposing seeds to a short burst of high temperature.

Question No. 29 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

What is a drawback of hot water seed treatment?

A. It is ineffective against all pathogens.
B. There is a narrow margin between the temperature/time needed to kill the pathogen and that which damages the seed.
C. It is the most expensive treatment method.
D. It makes the seeds magnetic.

Question No. 30 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

What is 'seed encrusting'?

A. A treatment that makes the seed coat extremely hard, like a crust.
B. A process that adds a small amount of material to a seed to make it less dusty and improve flowability, without changing its shape.
C. The same as seed pelleting.
D. A method of embedding seeds in a clay ball.

Question No. 31 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

The 'K-value' in the context of seed vigour testing (e.g., accelerated aging test) relates to:

A. The cost of the seed.
B. The potassium content of the seed.
C. The rate of seed deterioration, which can be improved by treatments.
D. The number of cotyledons.

Question No. 32 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

Why would a growth-promoting substance like a seaweed extract be included in a seed treatment?

A. To act as a potent insecticide.
B. To provide biostimulants that can enhance root development and stress tolerance.
C. To make the seed coat waterproof.
D. To act as a colorant.

Question No. 33 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

Which class of seed treatment chemical would be used to manage a viral disease transmitted by an insect?

A. A fungicide.
B. A bactericide.
C. An insecticide to control the insect vector.
D. A virucide directly on the seed.

Question No. 34 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

What is the primary advantage of using a professionally applied seed treatment versus an on-farm application?

A. It is always cheaper.
B. Professional applicators use specialized, calibrated equipment for precision, uniformity, and safety.
C. On-farm treatments are more effective.
D. Professionally treated seeds do not need to be colored.

Question No. 35 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

The term 'dressing' is most commonly used to refer to what type of seed treatment?

A. Priming the seed with water.
B. The application of a dry powder or liquid formulation (fungicide/insecticide) to the seed.
C. Pelleting the seed with clay.
D. Inoculating the seed with bacteria.

Question No. 36 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

What does a 'contact' fungicide do on a seed?

A. It is absorbed into the seed's embryo.
B. It creates a protective barrier on the seed surface, killing fungi that come into contact with it.
C. It makes the seed poisonous to insects.
D. It helps the seed absorb more water.

Question No. 37 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

Why is uniform seed size important for effective seed treatment?

A. Larger seeds are always more viable.
B. Uniform seeds absorb treatment slurries more evenly and have a consistent surface area for coating.
C. Small seeds cannot be treated.
D. Only uniform seeds can be colored red.

Question No. 38 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

What is the primary purpose of adding zinc (Zn) to a rice seed treatment?

A. To act as an insecticide.
B. To combat 'Khaira' disease, a physiological disorder caused by zinc deficiency.
C. To make the rice grains heavier.
D. To repel rodents from the field.

Question No. 39 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

How can seed treatment contribute to water use efficiency in a crop?

A. By making the plants require no water.
B. By promoting rapid root development, allowing the plant to access soil moisture more quickly and effectively.
C. By making the seeds waterproof.
D. By attracting rain clouds.

Question No. 40 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

Which of the following is a significant regulatory aspect of seed treatment?

A. Treated seeds must be labeled with the names of the active ingredients and safety precautions.
B. All treated seeds must be blue.
C. Farmers must perform a taste test before planting.
D. There are no regulations for seed treatment.

Question No. 41 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

What is the 'ballast' or 'filler' material in seed pelleting?

A. The active pesticide ingredient.
B. An inert material like clay or diatomaceous earth that makes up the bulk of the pellet.
C. The polymer binder.
D. The seed's own embryo.

Question No. 42 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

How does a biological seed treatment like *Bacillus subtilis* protect a seedling?

A. By releasing a powerful chemical that kills all surrounding organisms.
B. By creating a physical, impenetrable barrier around the seed.
C. By colonizing the root surface (biofilm) and outcompeting pathogens for space and nutrients, or by producing antifungal compounds.
D. By making the seedling invisible to pests.

Question No. 43 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

What is the main difference between a 'contact' and a 'systemic' insecticide seed treatment?

A. Contact insecticides are organic, while systemic are synthetic.
B. Contact insecticides protect against soil pests, while systemic insecticides are absorbed by the plant to protect against sucking/chewing insects.
C. There is no difference.
D. Contact insecticides are more expensive.

Question No. 44 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

Why is it crucial to plant treated seeds at the recommended depth?

A. Planting too shallow can expose the treated seed to birds and photodegradation of the chemical.
B. Planting too deep makes the treatment more potent.
C. The color of the treatment changes with depth.
D. Planting depth has no effect on treated seeds.

Question No. 45 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

What does 'seed enhancement' broadly refer to?

A. Only the application of chemical pesticides.
B. Any post-harvest treatment that improves germination, seedling growth, or handling.
C. The process of breeding new plant varieties.
D. Changing the color of the seed for marketing.

Question No. 46 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

The 'slurry treater' is a common piece of equipment for applying seed treatments. What does it do?

A. It applies a dry powder to the seeds.
B. It mixes the seed with a pre-determined volume of a liquid-based treatment formulation for uniform coating.
C. It sorts seeds by weight.
D. It heats seeds for thermal treatment.

Question No. 47 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

What is the risk of using untreated, farm-saved seeds, especially from a diseased crop?

A. The seeds will have higher nutritional value.
B. The seeds can carry over pathogens from one season to the next, ensuring early infection of the new crop.
C. The seeds will germinate faster than treated seeds.
D. There is no risk.

Question No. 48 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

Which of the following is a primary goal of seed priming?

A. To increase the physical size of the seed.
B. To bring all viable seeds to a similar metabolic state just short of radicle emergence.
C. To kill all organisms on the seed surface.
D. To add a layer of color to the seed.

Question No. 49 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

How does seed pelleting help in weed management for some crops like sugar beets?

A. The pellet releases a powerful herbicide.
B. It allows for planting to a precise final stand, reducing the need for thinning and allowing for mechanical weed control closer to the plant row.
C. The pellet makes the seedling grow taller than the weeds instantly.
D. The pellet attracts insects that eat weed seeds.

Question No. 50 Marks +1 -0 Time

0:00

What is a major advantage of using a 'combination' product for seed treatment (e.g., fungicide + insecticide)?

A. It is always cheaper than buying one product.
B. It provides broader spectrum protection against multiple types of pests from a single application.
C. It guarantees a 100% yield increase.
D. It reduces the need for fertilizer.

📋 Submit Test?