Rigby Taylor has announced Germin-8 which they describe as a unique grass seed treatment that stimulates and supports accelerated germination and emergence.

Comprising a liquid cocktail of speciality penetrating surfactants, nutrients, sugars and mycorrhizae, Germin-8 is pre-applied to each individual grass seed as a permanent coating.


Germin-8 germination trial assessed after 10 days. Untreated left, Germin-8 treated right

The company says when rootzone moisture is present, Germin-8’s special surfactant with penetrant properties provides effective penetration of water into the seed by lowering surface tension. At the active germination stage, each seed has immediate access to a highly beneficial package of targeted nutrient, sugars and micronized mycorrhizae.

Accelerated germination enables the emerging plants to benefit from applications of pre-seed fertiliser and bio-stimulants, such as Activate R, to significantly increase the speed of establishment.

Commenting on the launch Jayne Leyland, Rigby Taylor’s Seed Research and Development Manager, stated, "Germin-8 offers excellent benefits in cold and wet climatic conditions, leading to higher plant survival following renovation. This, together with appropriate aeration, contributes significantly to its rapid transfer from plant seedling to established sward stage.

"In Germin-8 trials on perennial ryegrass, red fescues, browntop bent and smooth-stalked meadow grass, a germination increase of 83 to 100 per cent was achieved 10 days after treatment, compared to untreated seed.

"Germin-8 liquid seed treatment adds just a maximum two per cent increase in (and therefore no requirement to increase) recommended seed sowing rates."