Yes. Insect pests can cause damage to crop growth, quality and yield even at low-to-moderate pressures. Small populations of certain pests may have a detrimental effect, with the result that the seedling may never emerge or the health of the plant may be compromised. If untreated seed is put into the ground where pests exist, there is no way to protect the seed retroactively. In either of these scenarios, the crop may have to be replanted at significant cost.
Additionally, even in the absence of pest pressure, SAIs provide strong plant establishment, health and vigour by protecting and strengthening the plant at crucial times of development (i.e. germination and root growth). This allows plants to better compete with weeds and diseases and deal with abiotic stresses such as cool soil temperatures or dry conditions at planting.