RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: An efficient delivery system for seed-protectant chemicals is needed in light of several disadvantages of conventional seed treatment methods. This study evaluates the efficacy of film-coat application in maintaining the persistence and potency of imidacloprid on Lycopersicon esculentum (L.) Mill. seeds after simultaneous storage under ambient and regulated environment in paper and aluminium packages. RESULTS: High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed 0.135 mg kg(-1) of herbage material to be the threshold value beyond which absolute control was obtained, and with film coating the latter was achieved even with half-dosage seed treatment, irrespective of the storage condition. The technique provided early protection to the crop and also nullified the deleterious effects of ambient storage on the persistence and potency of the pesticide. CONCLUSION: Film coating enabled superior pesticide dosage as well as higher biological efficacy to be achieved. Hence, in addition to being an ecofriendly alternative, the technique would be a more economically viable option for storage of treated seeds.