Which of the following is a benefit of using seed treatments?

Using seed treatments can significantly reduce the need for later pesticide applications, making it a key benefit in agricultural practices. These treatments often include fungicides, insecticides, or biologicals that protect seeds and seedlings from pests and diseases right from the start. By reducing initial pest and disease pressures, treated seeds can lead to healthier plants and ultimately decrease the necessity for additional chemical inputs throughout the growing season. This not only helps in lowering costs associated with pesticide applications but also aligns with sustainable farming practices by minimizing potential environmental impacts and promoting integrated pest management.

In contrast to the other options, while seed treatments might contribute to faster growth or some levels of resistance to environmental stressors, these effects are not guaranteed or direct benefits of the treatment itself. Higher seed costs could be a factor with treated seeds, but this consideration does not reflect a benefit of using the treatments. Instead, the primary advantage lies in the reduction of later pesticide needs, enhancing both efficiency and sustainability in agricultural operations.