How to Treat Corn Seeds

The early days when seed corn is germinating and growing into seedlings are one of the most crucial times for a successful crop. Unfortunately, corn is susceptible to a variety of blights from soil-borne organisms, fungal disease and cold and moisture damage. Although most commercial sweet corn seed has been pretreated with fungicide, you may need to treat your own saved corn seed. Treatment with a fungicide prior to planting will help ensure the growth and health of the corn.

Protective face mask
Protective glasses
Chemical resistant gloves
Captan fungicide
Fungicide applicator
Large spoon

Instructions

- 1
  Put on a protective facemask, eyewear and chemical-resistant gloves. Fungicide can cause respiratory damage if you inhale it; therefore proper safety precautions are necessary before application.
- 2
  Dilute the Captan fungicide with water in a large bucket. The amount that you need will depend on how many seeds that you want to treat, but mix at a ratio of 1/2 gallon of water per 1 tbsp. of Captan.
- 3
  Mix the water and fungicide with a large spoon or agitator. When you have finished mixing the solution, discard the mixer.
- 4
  Pour the mixture into a fungicide applicator such as a pump spray applicator.
- 5
  Spray the mixture onto saved open-pollinated corn. Allow the corn to dry.
- 6
  Wait seven days to plant the treated corn seeds.

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