What is ZipSeed seed coating treatment?

Getting seed to germinate is only part of establishing new turf. The young seedling must then develop sufficiently to establish within the sward.

ZipSeed is a pre-applied seed coating treatment designed to support this early development.

What is ZipSeed?

ZipSeed is a coating treatment used on selected ProSelect grass seed products.

The coating combines zinc and magnesium with humic acid and amino acids, placing these components around the seed so they are available close to the emerging seedling during germination and early development.

The coating is non-phytotoxic and includes a green colorant, making ZipSeed-treated seed easy to identify in the bag and during application.

How does ZipSeed support establishment?

The coating places nutritional components close to the developing seedling during its earliest stages of growth.

Development work focused on three areas:

• Germination rate
• Root and shoot production
• Establishment.

Root development is particularly important because it helps the young plant access water and nutrients from the surrounding rootzone.

Trials also found that roots from ZipSeed-treated seed retained more soil than roots from untreated seed.

What did the ZipSeed trials show?

ZipSeed was evaluated through a three-year program of grow-room and field trials using bentgrasses, fescues and perennial ryegrass.

Compared with untreated seed, the internal trials recorded:

The trials showed increases in root production, shoot production and establishment across all three grass groups compared with uncoated seed.

What happens under cooler conditions?

Lower temperatures can slow germination and establishment, making early- and late-season seeding more challenging.

Winter testing compared ZipSeed-treated and untreated seed in sandy and clay soils. ZipSeed-treated seed recorded higher germination in the tests, including perennial ryegrass under both soil conditions.

This makes ZipSeed particularly relevant where seeding takes place towards the beginning or end of the main growing season.

Where does ZipSeed fit into turf establishment?

ZipSeed does not replace the fundamentals of successful establishment. Seed selection, seedbed preparation, soil temperature, moisture and subsequent turf management still influence the result.

Its role is to provide additional support during the early development of the seedling, particularly where the establishment window is limited.

ProSelect products featuring ZipSeed

ProSelect products treated with ZipSeed can be identified by the ZipSeed icon. Look for the icon on relevant product pages to see where the seed coating treatment is used.

Selected ProSelect products are supplied with ZipSeed already applied to the seed.

These products can be identified by the ZipSeed icon on relevant product pages.

ProSelect products featuring ZipSeed include:

• Speed Germ ZT