3. INTRODUCTION :
Although seed quality is governed by genetic make-up, the quality of seeds may
deteriorate in subsequent stages like harvesting, threshing, processing and
storage period.
Poor seed handling condition gives rise to deterioration of seed quality and
results in the loss of viability.
This greatly affects seed vigour, which ultimately gives poor performance in field
and the seed is not able to meet the quality standards prescribed for that crop.
4. environmental conditions not favorable at the time of seed formation,
mishandling during harvesting, processing and storage and unfavorable storage
conditions with high moisture and temperature which increases seed ageing.
Hence, some physical and chemical operations are performed with the seeds
between processing to storage time to overcome these problems.
Seed enhancement improves hygiene and mechanical properties, breaking of
dormancy, synchronize germination, apply of nutrients and impart stress
tolerance.
5. Seed quality is the value of different attributes of seeds which
contribute for realizing the total value of seed for which it is used.
SEED QUALITY
6. SEED QUALITY ENHANCEMENT
Definition :
Post harvest treatment that improve germination or seedling growth
or facilitate the delivery of seeds and other materials required at the time
of sowing.
- Taylor et al., 1998).
8. Where & When It Is Needed :
Problematic seed
High value seed
Specific planting technique
Biotic stresses
Direct seeding
Adverse climatic conditions
9. HISTORY
Recorded references in Vedas and Bible
Coated and pelleted seeds traced in Egyptian pyramids
China farmers use to coat paddy seeds with mud balls while sowing in
flooded fields
Our ancestors use to practice it.
Application of ash, mud or cow dung slurry on seeds.
Acc.to Theophrastus pre-soaked cucumber seeds in milk / water
germinated quicker.
10. 10
Objectives of Seed Quality Enhancement Technology :
Reduced seed rate.
Early emergence and reduced time of emergence under stress
conditions .
Supply of growth regulators/ nutrients/ beneficial microbes.
Better nursery management.
Helps seedling to dominate weeds in competition for nutrition.
Field stand and uniformity.
Minimum exposure to toxicant.
Direct seeding of conventionally transplanted vegetable seeds.
High turnover.
13. It is the process of soaking seeds in water or diluted solution of growth
regulating compounds to induce early germination, better root growth and
seedling growth and also enhances the yield potential of the crop.
1. Pre-hydration [ a). Seed fortification b). seed infusion ]
2. Priming [a). Osmo Priming b). Halo priming c). Bio priming
c). Hydro priming d). Solid Matrix Priming or matri conditioning]
- Halmer 2006.
TYPES OF HYDRATIONS
SEED HYDRATION TECHNOLOGY :
14. SEED QUALITY ENHANCEMENT TECHNIQUES
Most are used extensively in high value, low-volume horticulture/
ornamental crops.
Film coating also widely used in high volume agronomic species (e.g. cotton,
maize, canola, sunflower) in combination with high value seed treatments.
Use of coatings well established in small-seeded legumes and some turf
species
Priming techniques used more commonly as seed value increases.
- Halmer 2006
15. 1. PRE-HYDRATION :
Seed hydration is the process of soaking seeds in water or dilute solution
of growth regulating compounds to induce early germination, better root growth
and seedling growth and also enhances the yield potential of the crop variety. It is
of two types.
A). SEED FORTIFICATION :
It is pre hydration technique where seeds are soaked either in water or
dilute solution of bioactive chemicals such as micro nutrients, growth regulators,
vitamins and seed protectants.
16. B). SEED INFUSION :
It is a method of impregnation of seeds with bioactive chemicals
through organic solvents instead of water this technique of infusion which helps
to avoid the damage caused to the seed due to soaking in water. Hence this
method is highly suitable to the seeds that suffer from soaking or seed coat
injury (pulses).
17. It is based on the principle of controlled imbibition, to a level that permits
pre germination metabolism to proceed, but prevents actual emergence of radical.
It is of following types.
A ). HYDRO PRIMING (DRUM PRIMING):
It is achieved by continuous or successive addition of a limited amount of
water to the seeds. A drum is used for this purpose and the water can also be
applied by humid air. 'On-farm steeping' is the cheep and useful technique that is
practiced by incubating seeds (cereals, legumes) for a limited time in warm water.
2. PRIMING :
18. Treatment usually involves immersion or percolation (up to 30⁰C for several
hrs.), followed by draining and drying back to near original SMC.
Short ‘hot-water steeps’ (thermotherapy), typically 50⁰C for 10 to 30 min, are
used to disinfect or eradicated certain seed borne fungal, bacterial, or viral
pathogens; extreme care, precision needed to avoid loss of seed quality.
- Halmer 2006
Seed lots are tumbled in a rotating cylindrical drum for even hydration,
aeration temperature controlled.
- Drum Priming – Browse 1996.
Hydro Priming - “Steeping”
20. B). HALO PRIMING :
Halo priming involves the use of salts of chlorides, sulphates, nitrates etc.
This priming makes seeds to improve their performance under salt stressed
conditions.
C). BIO PRIMING :
It is a process of biological seed treatment that refers to combination of
seed hydration (physiological aspect of disease control) and inoculation (biological
aspect of disease control) of seed with beneficial organism to protect seed with the
help of beneficial fungi and bacteria.
21. BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT/BIOPRIMING
• One of the best alternate
to chemical method.
• Uses various Biocontrol
agents.
• Provides protection to
seed forming coat of
antagonists
• Safe for environment and
human health.
23. • Synonymous term to Biological seed treatment.
• In broader sense it is an ecological approach and an effective alternative to
chemical control unique from chemical seed treatments by their utilization of
living microorganisms.
BIO-PRIMING ..
26. PROCEDURE
Mix the formulated product of bio-agent with the pre-
soaked seeds at the rate of 10 g per kg seed.
Pre-soak the seeds in water for 12 h.
Put the treated seeds as a heap.
Cover the heap with a moist jute sack to maintain high humidity.
Incubate the seeds under high humidity for about 48 h at approximately 25–32 °C.
Bio-agent adhered to the seed grows on the seed surface under moist condition to form a
protective layer all around the seed coat.
28. D). OSMO PRIMING :
Osmo conditioning is the standard priming technique. Seeds are incubated
in well aerated solutions with a low water potential, and afterwards washes and
dried. The low water potential of the solutions can be achieved by adding osmotica
like mannitol, polyethylene glycol (PEG) etc.
E). SOLID MATRIX PRIMING OR MATRI CONDITIONING :
It is the incubation of seeds in a solid, insoluble matrix with a limited
amount of water. This method confers a slow imbibition. Matric carriers are
Calcinated clay, Vermiculite, Peat Moss, Sand, Micro-Gel, etc.
29. SEED COATING :
Application of coating substance to the seed to enhance seed placement and
performance with out altering shape or placing chemicals on the seed coat which
regulate and improve germination.
- Copeland & McDonald 2001.
30. Enables accurate and even dose of chemicals and reduces chemical wastage.
Improve the appearance and dust free handling.
To apply fungicides, insecticides, micronutrients directly to seed.
Allow easy flow of seed in automatic seeding.
Act as a temperature switch and water intake regulator.
DISADVANTAGES OF COATING :
Coated seeds fetch high cost, than the bare seeds
Improper coating and improper dilution of coating material may deteriorate the
whole seed lot.
ADVANTAGES OF SEED COATING :
31. TYPES OF
Seed Coatings :
It is the coating applied to the seed that does not obscure its shape. It
may be fungicide, microbiological treatments and micronutrients
Its major benefit is that the seed enhancement material is directly
placed on the seed as compared to the broad casting.
Film Coatings :
It’s a sophisticated process of applying precise amount of active
ingredients in form of thin film along with the liquid material directly
on to the seed surface without obscuring its shape.
- (Copeland and Mc Donald, 2001)
32. STEPS IN SEED COATING TECHNIQUES :
Seed polymer coating
Polymer+
Active
ingredients(F+I)
Polymer coated seed
Seed coloring
Natural/synthetic
dyes
Colored seed
Seed pelleting
Adhesives
Filler material
Active
ingredients
Pelleted seed
33. ADVANTAGES OF FILM COATING :
•Increased flowability in the planter caused by better "slippage" between
individual seeds.
•Increased visibility of seed in the soil.
•Seed treatment identification by using different colorants.
•Dustless planting conditions (encapsulated pesticides).
Plant protectants that inhibit germination may not be used because of
inadequate separation between the seed and the active chemical.
Seed size and shape and weight are not altered sufficiently to make a dramatic
difference in plant ability.
DISADVANTAGES OF FILM COATING:
35. SEED PELLETING :
It is the process of enclosing a seed with a small quantity of inert material just
large enough to facilitate precision planting
Or
It is the mechanism of applying needed materials is such a way that
they affect the seed or soil at the seed soil interference.
- (Halmer,2006).
Why inert material?
It creates natural water holding media and provide small amount of nutrients
to younger seedlings.
-(Halmer,2006).
36. PELEETING OF SEED – DRUM PAN
Seed in rotating drum is wetted, and blends of powered materials (e.g. chalk, clays,
perlite, lime, peat, talc) plus water-attracting or hydrophobic materials are
progressively added, along with more water, until desired pellet wt. or size increase
is achieve.
Wet-coated seed then dried with heated air, usually in separate equipment.
- (Halmer, 2006)
-( Encylopedia of Seeds -2006 )
37. PELLETING VS. ENCRUSTING
Encrusting ( ‘Minipelleting’ or ‘coating’) applies
less material, so the original seed shape is still
(more or less) visible.
Seed pelleting and encrusting techniques were commercially developed in the past
40-50 years, using techniques from the pharmaceutical industries.
- (Halmer, 2006)
41. SELECTION OF PELLETING MATERIAL :
Pelleting materials must be porous to allow movement of air to the
seed.
The coating must weaken or breakdown when it comes in contact with
soil moisture to prevent any physical impedance to seed germination.
Material used must not have any toxicity to the seed.
It must be possible to apply the coating on commercial basis.
42. ADHESIVE MATERIAL :
• Binding materials used for maintaining perfect physical integrity of
coating.
• The type of adhesive highly influences during handling, transport and
planting operations of the pellets
FILLER MATERIAL :
• Filler materials for pelleting should be beneficial and harmless to both
seed and the rhizosphere.
• The particle size is important for resistant coating on the seed
material.
43. PELLETING MATERIAL :
Clay
limestone
Calcium carbonate
Vermiculate
Tamarind leaf powder
Gum Arabic
Gelatin
Methyl cellulose
polyvinyl alcohol
Maida / starch gruel
Along with Inoculants, Growth regulators & Fungicides etc.
FILLER MATERIALS
ADHESIVE
44. CHARACTERS OF FILLER MATERIAL :
It should be non toxic.
Friendly to both seed, adhesive and environment.
Easily available for commercial production.
Low cost.
45. SEED PELLETING PROCESS :
adhesive seed
Coating of seed with adhesive
Filler material
Filler material sprinkled on coated seeds
Pelleted seeds
Shade drying
sowing
46. TYPES OF SEED PELLETING :
Type Material Used
Innoculant
Pelleting
BiofertilizerViz., Rhizobia, PSB, Azospirillum, Azatobactor,
VAM
Protective
Coating
Biocontrol agents like Rhizobacteria bataticola, Bacillus sp.
Streptomycis sp., pesticides, fungicides.
Herbicide
Coating
Filler antidote or absorbent coating, Herbicide antidote like
1.8 napthalic anhydride (NA)
Nutrient
Coating
Coating with micro and macronutrients eg.ZnSo4, FeSo4,
Borax
Hydrophillic
Coating
Starch graft polymers, magnesium carbonate
Oxygen
Supplier
Coating
Peroxides of zinc and calcium
47. ADVANTAGES OF SEED PELLETING :
• Increase in size.
• Singling of seed by prevention of clogging.
• Precision planting.
• Attraction of moisture.
• Supply of growth regulators, nutrients.
• Stimulation of germination.
• Influence of micro-environment.
• Saving of chemicals/fertilizers applied to soil.
• Supply of oxygen.
• Reduces seed rate.
• Uniform field establishment.
• Increase yield.
• Remedy for sowing at problematic soils.
• Protection from birds, animals and insects.
48. POLYMER SEED COATING AND COLOURING :
What is it?
It means the application of physical and chemical agents to the seed in order to
enhance the Physical, Physiological, Biochemical and health qualities of seed.
A seed coating is the substance applied to seed that does not obscure its
shape.
Major benefit of coating is that the seed enhancement material is placed
directly on to the seed.
Polymer coating is normally used to apply a thin, uniform layer of polymer.
The polymer forms a flexible film that adheres & protects the fungicide,
preventing dusting off and loss of fungicide during handling.
49. Seed + polymer + coloring pigments + binder + a.i.
Seed coating/seed film coating
Value added seed
STEPS IN POLYMER COATING
50. IDEAL TRAITS OF SEED COATING POLYMER
• Be a water based polymer
• Have a low viscosity range
• Have a high concentration of solids
• Have an adjustable hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance
• Form a hard film upon coating.
51. NATURAL DYES
• Beetroot
• Opuntia
• Turmeric
• Henna
• Marigold
• Jamun
SYNTHETIC DYES
• Copper sulphate
• Bromocresol green
• Congo red
• Turquoise blue
• Rhodomine –B
• Potassium permanganate
MATERIALS USED :
52. NANO PRIMING :
Nanoparticles (microscopic particle with at least one dimension less than 100 nm)
used for priming with an object to increasing, germination percentage, seedling
growth and seedling vigour
Nano priming enhance germination percentage, seedling dry weight , seedling
vigour at 0.02% TiO2 solution in green gram (Kasra et al.,2011)
53. NANO PARTICLES FOR SEED TREATMENT :
Tomato seedlings growing in a (Carbon Nano Tube) CNT-enriched soil showed
enhanced growth due to increased water uptake caused by penetration of CNT.
This principle can be utilized to use CNT as vehicle to deliver desired molecules
either nutrient or biocides into the seeds during germination.
Increases imbibition rates by increasing Seed coat permeability.
Increased seedling shoot and root length.(American Seed Research Foundation)
54. SEED TAPE :
Seed tape is important for small, short
supply and high cost seed (carrot,
cabbage, beet, lettuce, spinach and
ornamental floral crops)
Seed tapes are an easy way to plant a row
of seeds with precision spacing.
It is more beneficial in smaller seeds as
singling resulted through seed tape helps
in reducing the cost and waste of seeds.
It also reduces the problem of thinning
and gap filling in seeds.
Planting Carrot Using Seed Tape
55. SEED MATS :
Seed mat is made of predominantly of
plant fiber material or a loose mulch
made of wood fiber or recycled
newspaper designed to keep the seed in
place, maintain moisture to promote
germination and seedling establishment.
Its permit root development through the
mat into the soil, and reduce weed seed
germination and development
56. Less labor need, real value of money.
Reduced nursery area 100 m2 to plant
1 ha.
Shorter period of raising seedlings (18-
20 cm tall with 4 leaves) produced
within 15 DAS.
Easy transport of seedling-mats to
main field.
Easy separation of seedlings for
transplanting (minimum root damage)
Preferred for mechanical transplanting.
Continuous supply of fresh &healthy
vegetables, off-season sowing, weed
suppressor, uniform growth multi
cutting.
Why Seed Mat’es ???
57. 01
H2O2 Pre – Treatment for Seed enhancement In
Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)
V. Santhy⃰, M. Meshram, R. Wakde, P.R.Vijayakumari
Division of Crop Improvement, Central Institute of Cotton Research,
Nagpur,Maharashtra, India.
Received 15th April, 2013; Accepted 3rd June, 2014.
Study was taken up to study the effect of H2O2 on germination under
moisture stress in comparison with KCl (Potassium Chloride) treatment
and water treatment & untreated control.
58. Results suggested that seed priming with H2O2 at 80 mM is an effective
method of obtaining superior germination and seedling growth under
moisture stress condition.
Lower values for Electrical Conductivity(EC) of seed leachates released
during germination in the H2O2 treated seeds because it increases the
membrane stability of treated seeds.
And also an increase in activities of anti-oxidants viz. Peroxidase,
Catalase and Malate Dehydrogenase was also observed supporting the
positive role of H2O2 in enhancing the seed germination in cotton.
In This aspect seeds are Primed with H2O2 @ 80 mM , with Kcl @ 2%
and also with water.
59. Seed Material : Premium cotton seed with boll guard insect protection
gene incorporated (Bt gene) into it and treated with Imidacloprid was used.
These seeds were further treated (Primed )with Kcl @ 2% , H2O2 @ 80 mM,
and with water by spraying over seeds uniformly followed by quick drying
used for further studies.
Experiments :
Germination under controlled conditions :
Germination test was carried out using 50 seeds each in 4 replications
placed on rolled paper towels and incubated at 25⁰ c for 7 days. After final
count they observed shoot length, root length, fresh weight, dry weight.
60. Germination under Moisture stress conditions :
The pots are filled with FYM + sand +clay soil. 15 seeds were carefully
placed in the pots during extreme summer month of the year.
Seed Quality Assessment by Solute leakage ( EC) .
Volatile aldehydes released was determined spectrophotometrically.
Activity assessment of major enzymes involved in germination.
61. Results and Discussions :Effect Of Treatment on growth under
controlled conditions
Treatment Shoot
length(cm)
Root
length(cm)
Fresh
Weight(g)
Dry
Weight(g)
H2O2 7.4 14.43 1.445 0.265
Kcl 7.05 12.41 1.415 0.255
Water 6.99 10.94 1.365 0.245
Control 6.07 10.18 1.295 0.205
Seedling root length increased to 14cm for H2O2 treatment.
12cm for Kcl treatment.
10cm for H2O treatment.
63. The Germination uniformity was found higher for H2O2 treated
seeds . The superiority of H2O2 was evident on 5th & 7th days too
with significantly highest germination over other treatments.
Conclusion :
Finally they conclude seed priming with H2O2 @ 80 mM is
convenient method of seed priming to improve germination and better
plant stand under moisture stress conditions.
64. 02
Development of polymeric seed coats for seed
quality enhancement of soybean(Glycine max )
JITENDRA KUMAR1, K .NISAR2, M.B. ARUN KUMAR3, SURESH WALIA4, N.A.
SIHAKIL5, RAJENDER PRASAD6 and BALRAJ S PARMAR7
Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi I10 012.
Received: 23 March 2007.
Twelve polymers-based and 1 clay-based seed coats were prepared and
compared with the commercial formulation of Thiram 75 DS for seed quality
enhancement of soybean seed under storage.
‘Clay Bentonite’ used for the clay coating.
They used 12 different polymers for polymer coating.
65. The polymer-coated seeds in general deteriorated at a slower rate compared
with the control and revealed high germination percentage over the control.
Apparently the coats acted as barriers to the moisture and checked the
deterioration of seed. These also prevented the proliferation of storage fungi
over an elevated period.
Among all the polymers, polyethy1 methacrylate, polyvinyl acetate and polyvinyl
pyrrolidone were found to be significantly superior in maintaining the soybean
seed quality during storage
These products were useful in improving the storability of the seed by checking
the fungal infestation and enhancing the overall seed quality during storage.
66. Materials and Methods :
12 different polymers, clay bentonite, Thiram 75DS Sodium lignosulfonate and
sodium lauryl sulfate were used as surfactants and binders for the preparation of
seed coats.
Soybean seed (400 g) was kept in the tumbler and the seed treatment
composition as prepared above was added to it. The seed is tumbled until it is
coated with the seed treatment composition. The coated seeds were immediately
transferred to an aluminum foil where the seeds were spread uniformly and
separated manually to prevent clogging.
Thiram 75 DS, Th-75, (1.2 g) was dissolved in water (5 ml) in 25 ml beaker and
transferred to the tumbler containing soybean seed (400 g). The seed were
further processed as per the method used for polymeric seed coats.
After coating the seed with test seed coats, the suitability of different polymers for
seed coating was assessed based on the effect on the different seed quality
parameters, viz.germination, vigour, moisture, longevity and health.
67. Moisture content of the seeds was estimated by using oven drying method.103⁰c
for 17 hr. as per ISTA 1999.
Seed health was estimated by using Blotter method.
Results and Discussions :
Seed Quality Assessment :
Compatibility of the seed with formulations: The formulations used for coating
sholud not have any deletorious effect on seeds. Otherwise it give abnormal
seedlings.
Germination : Germination percentage of seeds reduced over a period of 6 months
storage period both in coated and non-coated seed. Percent germination reduced
drastically in case of non-coated seed i.e 89% to 61%.
68. But seed coated with Bentonite and polymer based formulations retained better germ
inability well above that of non-coated seed. Seed coated with Poly ethylmetha cry
late showed significantly highest germination(95.0%) and highest germintion % that
is 83% compared to other treatments.
Vigour :After 6 months storage period Poly ethylmethacry late recorded highest
vigour index(20392.0), followed by Polyvinyl pirrolidone (18494.0) and Poly vinyl
acetate(18422.0).
Seed Moisture : MC was found to increased in both the conditions. The MC varied
between 10.0% - 13.93% in different test samples. The increase was gradual incase
of coated seeds where as a steep increase was observed in control.
Seed Health : The percent infected seeds have increased rapidly from 17.00% -
41.67% in the control compared to treated seed.
69. Statistical Analysis :
It was observed that the moisture content of seed revealed significant negative
correlation with seed germination (0.8776), seed vigour (0.7240).
Conclusion :
Finally conclude that Polymer coated seed deteriorate slower rate than other and
revealed highest germination %. Because the coated seed act as barrier to the
moisture and checked the deterioration of seed. These are also prevented from the
proliferation of storage fungi over a elevated storage period.
70. Conclusion
The productions and timely supply of quality seeds to the farmers are most
crucial and challenges the technology. Good quality seed acts as a catalyst for
realizing the potential of all other inputs in agriculture. Without good seed, the
investment on fertilizers, water, pesticides and other inputs will not pay the
desired dividends. Therefore, production of quality seed and maintenance of
high germination is of utmost significance in the seed program. In this way,
seed enhancements technology has a core objective plays a significant role in
improvising the seed performance.
73. REFERENCES
Copeland, L. O. and M. B. McDonald. 1995. Principles of Seed Science and Technology.
Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Halmer, P., 2003. “Enhancing seed performance for better yield and quality”.
Taylor, A.G.,1997. “Seed storage, germination and quality”. The Physiology of Vegetable
crops, CAB international, Oxon, Wallingford, United Kingdom.
Bradford, K.J. 1986. “ Manipulation of seed water relationships via Osmotic priming to
improve germination under stress conditions “. Hort Science . 21 : 1105-o8.
Lee, J.M., 2004.“ Seed Enhancement for Healthy Seedlings “. Asian seed 2004. (2):5-19.
Santhy, V., Mesh ram, M., Wakde, R and Vijayakumari, P.R. 2014. Hydrogen peroxide Pre-
treatment for seed enhancement in cotton. African Journal of Agricultural Research.
Jitendra, K., Nisar, K., Arun Kumar, M.B., Suresh, W., Shakil, N.A.,Rajender,P and Balaraj
Kumar, S. 2007. Development of Polymer seed coats for seed quality enhancement in soy
bean. Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences. 77 (11) 738-743.