Peas drilled early in Spring have to establish and get roots down quickly, as soil temperatures can still be low. Those first weeks are essential in determining the success of the crop, and pea seed treatments are one of the few tools that work from the moment of sowing. With drilling decisions being made now, this is the time to plan what goes onto the seed.
Why Establishment Matters for Peas
Cold, wet seedbeds slow emergence and leave patchy stands. A plant that struggles at the start can fail to catch up, and the gaps show at harvest. A weak, slow-growing plant is also more open to disease and pest pressure, which adds cost and time to fix problems that a good start would have avoided. Getting seed away quickly is the best protection against all of that.
How Kick-Off Seed Treatment Works
Kick-Off is a phosphite biostimulant applied directly to the seed before drilling. Because the nutrition sits on the seed itself, it is available from the start of germination. That instant availability is essential in getting the pea established and with stronger rooting.
Deeper Rooting for Better Access to Water and Nutrients
The phosphites, manganese and nutrition package in Kick-Off have a proven record of increasing root length and root biomass. A bigger root system reaches more water and more nutrients, and that matters most when conditions are testing. Root digs comparing treated and untreated crops show the difference clearly, with the treated plants putting down noticeably more root (PGRO trials 2018). That early root growth gives the crop the foundation for everything that follows.
Faster Germination and Stronger Emergence
Kick-Off improves germination speed, so the pea is up and away sooner. That early lead saves time and money in the long term, because a crop that emerges evenly is easier to manage through the season. It also contains 19 plant-based amino acids, which support photosynthesis and help the plant withstand stress better. The amino acids also aid the movement of other nutrients around the plant.
Support in Cold and Waterlogged Seedbeds
Early spring drilling can bring its own challenges, and Kick-Off is designed to give seed the best possible start in waterlogged or cold soils, and on droughty or poorer land. Improved stress tolerance at this stage is what keeps a stand even when the weather turns against it.
What Growers Have Seen with Kick-Off
Kick-Off has been used on farms since 2001, and the results from independent trials and working farms back it up. On peas, PGRO independent testing has seen Kick-Off deliver +5% yield improvement vs untreated. The phosphite also offers another element of support to the crop, with fewer fungicides remaining in the toolbox. This is backed up in wheat trials, which have shown yield improvements of 6%, so returning £9 for every £1 spent (based on the May 2026 wheat price). John Stanley of Milcote Seeds saw a 4.4% yield improvement, a return of £8.50 per £1, and was able to cut his fertiliser input by 50kg/ha. John Stonehouse, a mixed farmer near Scarborough, has seen better yields for three years running whilst lowering his input costs. You can read more about John Stanley’s results and John Stonehouse’s experience on our site.
Plan Your Pea Seed Treatment Now
Settle your seed treatment before the drill goes out. Read more about Kick-Off seed treatment, or get in touch with our team to talk through your pea programme.