Choice and concentration of latex emulsion polymer is critical to the development of a seed coating which demonstrates excellent properties of abrasion resistance and seed flowability without adversely affecting seed germination and ultimate crop yield.

With low use rate insecticides and fungicides as seed coatings it is important to form a continuous coating over the seed surface by optimum addition of polymer and/or solid diluent. Use of the experimental design associated with blending allows the formulator to identify this precise composition and provides a framework for comparing the performance of alternative emulsion polymers and diluent solids.

Built-in seed coating formulations of low use rate insecticides and fungicides, developed by the addition of 5–20 %w/w emulsion polymer, demonstrate comparable abrasion resistance to the suspension concentrate itself.