Protect the germination process

Future-proof greenery through specific coating

Grass seed coating technology profoundly changed the way we think about lawn and sports field construction and maintenance. Central to this evolution is Headstart Advance from Advanta, a product that combines the most advanced root and germination technologies in a 100% natural high-tech coating. This unique formula, consisting of a complex mix of bio-stimulators, enzymes, hormone extracts and essential minerals, provides coating to the grass seeds that need it for specific purposes.

Erik Truyers, sales & product manager Belgium: “Twenty years ago we started the first trials for coating. Back then, everyone declared me a fool. That has changed now. Because grass seed coating offers numerous advantages, such as improved germination, protection against diseases, and more efficient moisture and nutrient absorption. Germination is increased because the coating can absorb nutrients and growth stimulators, resulting in faster and more uniform germination. This is especially noticeable in the first weeks of germination. The trace elements protect the seed significantly better than without a coating. We actually build in natural resistance that way, resulting in significantly better rooting. That will certainly prove valuable in the (near) future in regions with changeable and more extreme weather conditions.” 

Spores, cold-pressed seaweed extracts and bio-simulators

The materials used for grass seed coating range from polymer bases to natural fabrics, with natural coatings gaining popularity for their environmentally friendly properties. These natural substances, such as spores, cold-pressed seaweed extracts and bio-stimulators, are fully biodegradable and do not harm the environment. This, of course, contributes significantly to the sustainability of sports and other fields.

“The impact of coated grass seeds on the environment is significant,” said Erik Truyers. “Developments in natural coating materials reduce the environmental impact and increase the biodegradability of the materials used.”

With Headstart Advance, Advanta sets a new industry standard by promoting faster germination, greater root mass, and robust rooting in all directions. This fits perfectly within a sustainable green policy, improving not only the visual aspect of the turf, but also its robustness, recoverability and resistance to disease and stress.

Nanotechnology in grass seeds

“The future of grass seed coating looks promising, with ongoing innovations aimed at improving efficacy and reducing environmental impact. Developments such as the use of nanotechnology in coatings promise an even more targeted release of active elements, which will further improve efficiency.”

“At this very moment, we are testing out that nanotechnology in practice on our training grounds. Only by actually testing this out minutely can you find out what the effective improvements are, where the challenges are, ... We don't want to put anything on the market that has not been tested very extensively and is therefore not safe for the full 100%. We also want to be able to demonstrate its added value very clearly. Because obviously not every grass reacts in the same way to this new technology. Only if you can actually make a difference in practice - and not just theoretically - is it ready for production,” Erik Truyers concludes.