What specific conditions does Captan protect seeds from?

Captan is a fungicide commonly used in seed treatment to protect seeds from specific seed-borne diseases. It is particularly effective against seed rots and decays caused by various fungal pathogens, which can hinder seed germination and subsequently lead to seedling blights. By treating seeds with Captan, farmers and agricultural technicians can create a protective barrier that reduces the risk of these types of fungal infections, ensuring higher germination rates and healthier seedlings.

The protection provided by Captan is crucial because diseases such as damping-off, which is caused by specific fungi in the soil, can lead to significant losses in crops. This targeted action against fungal pathogens is a fundamental reason why many growers choose to use Captan as part of their seed treatment protocol.

Other choices refer to factors that Captan does not specifically guard against. For instance, while cold temperatures and drought are adverse environmental conditions that affect plant growth and seed viability, Captan is not designed to protect against these factors. Similarly, overwatering can lead to issues with root rot, but that is not the function of Captan. Soil erosion is a physical process unrelated to the disease control mechanism of Captan.