Effect of a calcium peroxide seed coating on the establishment and yield of winter wheat sown by direct drilling in the presence of straw residues

Seed coated with a formulation containing calcium peroxide slightly improved establishment and yield of winter wheat direct-drilled in the presence of straw residues compared with wheat seed coated with a commercial fungicide/pesticide. There was no benefit in the presence of stubble or after burning. Even with the peroxide coating the yield of the crop direct-drilled into chopped straw was 33% less than where the residues had been burnt.