alfalfa coating

[regenwether]

I was wondering if anyone here has experience with coated or pelletized Alfalfa seed? I'm odering my seed for spring right now. I've always planted seed coated with Apron. It has always worked well for me. The pelletized seed has a coating cosisting of rhizobium-peat mixture, a lime coating, a fungicide followed by a "glue" to hold it all together.

The salesmen says you'll get a thicker stand and longer life from your plants. He also says you don't have to plant as high a rate. Any thoughts?

 

[hayray]

I don't see the coated seed being worth the money, plus makes it harder to calibrate the drill. If you go to the Michigan State Univeristy, Forage Information Systems website there is a article titled " Is coated alfalfa seed worth the money.

 

[Stocker Steve]

Most legume seed is coated so it go a lot farther for the seed company. They claim you will get a better stand. I think it is cheaper to buy lime by the ton.

 

[Baydog]

I had a bag of coated crimson clover this year. After reading the label, found it was only 34 pounds of seed. It was priced as much as an actual 50 pounds of un-coated seed. That 16 pounds of other ingredients sure is expensive!

 

[dun]

The problem I had with coated seed was using a PTO broadcast seeder. It knocked a lot of the coating off and gummed up the opening in the bottom of the seeder.

 

[novatech]

I have always wondered about the shelf life of the coated seed as to the survival rate of the rhizobium. I have seen a lot of suppliers store it out in a hot wearhouse. There is no telling how it was handled before it got to the store. I know those trailer tucks can get pretty darn hot inside. I have always stored the packets in a cool dry place.
Off subject but we have been going through some pretty bad drought. It occurs to me that re inoculation of the soil may do some good. Any opinions?