Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of seed treatments?

The primary purpose of seed treatments is to protect against seedborne diseases and insects. This protective measure ensures that the seeds are shielded from pathogens and pests that can compromise their viability and reduce crop yields. By applying specific treatments, such as fungicides and insecticides, seeds can effectively fend off various threats that may arise in the soil environment or during germination.

This approach is crucial because healthy seedlings lead to robust plants, contributing to higher agricultural productivity. While increasing seed shelf-life, improving germination rates, and facilitating easier planting are beneficial outcomes that can result from different aspects of seed treatment, they do not encapsulate the main objective, which centers on safeguarding the seeds from harmful diseases and insects that could hinder their growth right from the beginning.