Name three common active ingredient groups used in seed treatments.

• A. Herbicides, fungicides, and bactericides.
• B. Fungicides, insecticides, and nematicides.
• C. Insecticides, herbicides, and miticides.
• D. Nematicides, growth regulators, and pigments.

Answer: (B)

Protecting the seed and young seedling from multiple threats is the main purpose of seed treatments. The three most common active ingredient groups used are fungicides, insecticides, and nematicides. Fungicides guard against fungal pathogens that can cause seed rot and damping-off during germination. Insecticides reduce damage from soil-dwelling insects that feed on seeds or young roots as they emerge. Nematicides help suppress plant-parasitic nematodes in the root zone, supporting healthier root development.

Other groups like herbicides, bactericides, miticides, growth regulators, or pigments aren’t the standard trio used in seed treatments. Herbicides are typically used for weed control in the field rather than as seed coatings, while the others aren’t commonly applied as primary seed-treatment protective agents.