Herbicide protection seed coating technology for improving restoration success in Great Basin sagebrush plant communities

Abstract Introduction Invasive annual grasses (IAGs) pose a significant threat to sagebrush rangelands, but restoring native perennial species using seed is challenging because pre‐emergent herbicides, used to control IAGs, also harm desired seedlings. This necessitates seeding after herbicide effects diminish. Objective This collection of three papers introduces efforts to develop an herbicide protection seed coating that enables simultaneous application of pre‐emergent herbicides and seeding of native perennials. The papers evaluate coating efficacy and explore how coating rate and seeding method influence seedling emergence and survival to maturity. Methods The studies combined laboratory and field trials to assess the impact of carbon seed coatings, coating amounts, and planting techniques—such as shallow furrows planted before herbicide application versus deep furrows planted after—to determine their effects on seedling emergence and survival of native perennial species. Results Findings indicate that carbon‐based seed coatings can shield seeds from herbicide effects. Notably, the success of protection varies with seeding technique, with deep furrows planted post‐herbicide application showing the highest success rates. Conclusions These results suggest that carbon seed coatings hold promise as a tool for restoring sagebrush rangelands affected by IAGs. However, larger‐scale trials across diverse environmental conditions are necessary to verify efficacy.