GB2500921A

GB2500921A - Methods and uses for improved sowing by the use of wax particles

Info

Publication number: GB2500921A
Application number: GB1206138.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nicholas Hugh Hylton Jessop
Original assignee: Exosect Ltd
Current assignee: Exosect Ltd
Priority date: 2012-04-04
Filing date: 2012-04-04
Publication date: 2013-10-09
Also published as: GB201206138D0

Abstract

Methods and uses of controlling the flowability of a population of field crop plant seeds and dust drift therefrom by placing individual seeds in contact with particles of a flowability enhancing agent that is made up of at least one species of wax that adheres more firmly to the said crop plant seeds than a compound or composition that comprises a substance that is or includes a mineral earth component. The wax may comprise at lest one species of wax selected from carnuba wax, montan wax, and paraffin wax or a mixture of two or more thereof.

Description

Methods and Uses for Improved Sowing The present invention relates to improvements in methods of controlling flowability and dust drift, and uses of compositions for controlling flowability and dust drift. In particular, the invention relates to improvements in methods and uses for controlling flowability of and/or dust drift from field crop plant seed.

There exist problems associated with the sowing of seed using conventional sowing equipment, such as, dust drift and seed flowability. Oust drift' is a term of the art and relates to inter alia frictional erosion between seeds causing the loss of elements of the seed coat per se through the rubbing together of seeds during haulage and storage movement which results in a dust made up inter aiia of very small parts of the seed coat. The damage caused by friction to the seeds causes a loss of viability to a fraction of the seeds in any one batch which in turn leads to agronomic losses.

The generated dust is lost to the environment through wind dispersal when seeds are loaded into seed planters and during planting operations from commercial planting machinery, and the like. Other forms of dust making up dust drift cccur when prior-coated or prior-pelleted seed is subject to haulage and storage where again, damage caused by frictional erosion within seed masses leads to the formation of dust that gets into the environment. Coated or pelleted seed generally includes active agents such as pesticides and/or fertilisers and in these forms dust loaded with such active agents gets into the environment and can be spread far and wide. Indeed, it is known that dust drift that contains pesticides is responsible for harming and killing social insect populations beneficial to man, such as domesticated bee populations. Dust drift is also thought to be responsible inter alia for the rise in the number of cases of asthma and other respiratory diseases and is suspected of contributing to certain cancerous states in humans.

"Seed flowability" relates to the ability of individual seeds in a seed population to flow past each other. The ease of seed flowability is important in many situations such as in the use of conventional seed sowing equipment and in the use of seed storage equipment. The greater the degree of ease of flowability of seed means that seed flow can be controlled better and so germination losses due to damage to the seed coat or due to seed clumping causing blockages in conventional sowing equipment can be minimised.

Conventional crop seed typically uses a mineral earth component such as talc, diatonaceous earth or kaolin as a drying agent which also acts as a flowability agent, however, such mineral earth components tend to detach from plant seeds over time. Furthermore, such drying agents tend to cause clumping of seeds within the seed mass and as a result the clumping of seed gives rise to blockages in sowing equipment, making the sowing process less efficient. Furthermore, plant seed coating compositions tend to be added to plant seeds in the form of wet slurry which then requires drying either through the application of heat and/or the addition of further mineral earth components such as talc, kaolin or diatomaceous earth. Either way, the finished coated seed product is subjected to frictional forces during haulage, storage and sowing which results in the added seed coatings being damaged and so contributes to clumping of the seeds and concomitant losses in germination efficiency.

Commercial preparations of coated seeds such as Poncho® (Bayer) comprising pesticides are available that are alleged to be free flowing but such preparations tend to have complex coatings that inter alia make use of several polymer layers and other components that are expensive to produce.

There exists a need to provide field crop plant seed that has improved flowability and improved dust drift control.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling the flowability of a population of field crop plant seeds by placing individual seeds in contact with particles of a flowability enhancing agent that is made up of at least one species of wax that adheres more firmly to the said crop plant seeds than a compound or composition that comprises a substance that is or includes a mineral earth component.

Typically, the control of flowability of a population of crop plant seeds is enhanced, that is to say, the seeds are more free-flowing than conventional field crop plant seed populations, and exhibit reduced clumping of seeds within the seed mass than conventional

field crop plant seed populations.

Reference to "seed" and "seeds" is used interchangeably herein and means field crop plant seeds selected from vegetable seeds and/or oilseeds, typically viable seeds, to which compositions of use in the invention may be applied. Plant seed as provided herein means seeds that are capable of germinating to at least conventional levels of germination typical of the relevant crop plant species under consideration. Thus a field crop plant seed of use in a method or use of the invention is one that may be grown for human and/or domesticated farm animal consumption.

Thus, for the purposes of the present invention it is to be understood that the term "field crop plant seed" refers to "oilseeds" and "vegetable seeds" which are collectively referred to herein as "field crop plant seeds" unless context demands otherwise.

Field crop plant seeds suitable for coating with compositions of use in the invention include oil seeds of the Crucifer family such as canola (B. campestris) and oilsoed rape (2. napus) seeds of other Crucifer plant species including those of plants of the B. oleraceae such as seeds of types of cabbages, broccolis, cauliflowers, kales, Brussels sprouts, and kohlrabis; seeds of alliums including onion, leek and garlic. Other crop plant seeds suitable for coating with compositions of use in methods of, and in uses of the invention include capsicums, tomatoes, cucurbits such as cucumbers, cantaloupes, summer squashes, pumpkins, butternut squashes, tropical pumpkins, calabazas, winter squashes, watermelons, lettuces, zucchinis (courgettes) , aubergines, carrots, parsnips, swedes, turnips, sugar beet, celeriacs, Jerusalem artichokes, artichokes, bok choi, celery, Chinese cabbage, horse radish, musk melons, parsley, radish, spinach, beetroot for table consumption, linseed, sunflower, safflower, sesame, carob, coriander, mustard, grape, flax, dika, hemp, okra, poppy, castor, jojoba and the like.

A flowability enhancing agent is one that reduces the level of clumping in a seed population, such as a batch of seeds that is destined for sowing. Suitable flowability enhancement agents of use in the invention include waxes selected from natural, synthetic and mineral waxes. Typically, waxes of use in the invention have a melting temperature of »=40°C, depending on design. Suitable waxes of use in the invention include waxes having a melting point of preferably 50C, and most preferably are made up of hard waxes having a melting point of »=70°C. Examples of natural waxes of use in the present invention include carnauba wax, beeswax, Chinese wax, shellac wax, spermaceti wax, myricyl palmitate, cetyl palmitate, oandelilia wax, castor wax, ouricury wax, wool wax, sugar cane wax, retano wax, rice bran wax and the like.

Synthetic waxes of use in the present invention include suitable waxes selected from paraffin wax, microcrystalline wax, Polyethylene waxes, Fisoher-Tropsch waxes, substituted amide waxes, polyrrierized a-olefins and the like.

Mineral waxes of use in the invention include montan wax (e.g. Lumax® Bayer) ceresin wax, ozocerite, peat wax and the like.

The particles of flowability enhancing agent are preferably added to a seed mass in the form of dry particles that are simply admixed into the seed mass which is then gently agitated or stirred until the mxing is corr.plete and the seeds are observed to be free flowing.

The size of the particles of flowability enhancing agent typically have a volume mean diameter of any conventional size, such as up to 200pm, preferably from 10 -100 pm, and most preferably from 10-SOpm depending on the type and size of plant seed that the particles are being applied to. Generally, the particles of use in the invention possess a volume mean diameter of »=lOpm, such as in the range of from »=lOpm to 200pm, for example from »=lOpm to 100pm; or from »=lOpm to 4Dpm; or from »=lOpm to 3Opm or any desired volume mean diameter value in between. Preferably, dry powder compositions of the invention comprise particles having a volume mean diameter of »=lOpm, for example of 10pm, 11pm, 12pm, l3prn, l4pm, lSpm and the like up to any volume mean diameter of choice, such as up to 200pm or any volume mean diameter in between for example 4Opm or 30iam. In one preferment, compositions of the invention comprise particles having a volume mean diameter of from about 12pm to 200pm. Such compositions are also considered to be less of a thoracic hazard to humans and are not thought to be allergenic.

Preferably still, the flowability enhancing agent typically does not include added further components such as added tJV blockers or added antioxidants or the like. The flowability enhancing agent of use in the present invention may be made up of one or more waxes that have a melting point at or above 40° centigrade as herein described.

lJternatively, the particles of flowability enhancing agents of use in the invention may be made out of two or more flowability enhancing agents through melting and then mixing of two or more flowability enhancing agents in the molten state. Once the molten state cools down and solidifies, the resulting composite block may be broken up and kibbled to size conventionally as outlined herein below. In a further alternative, particles of use in the invention may be made by compressing two or more sets of particles or sheets of flowability enhancing agents together, forming a composite structure or block that may then be broken up and kibbled to size before being applied to a seed mass. Thus, flowability enhancing agents of u5e in the invention may be applied as a coating

composition tc field crop plant seeds by

i) obtaining organic material as a population of separate particles of a pre-deterinined VMD; and ii) applying the said population of particles to field crop plant seeds.

The skilled addressee will also appreciate that the pre-determined VMD will be appropriate to the field crop plant seed to which the coating is to be applied.

The skilled addressee will appreciate that a method of coating a field crop plant seed with a coating composition that comprises a flowability enhancing agent of use in the invention, typically comprises i) obtaining at least one flowability enhancing agent suitable for

coating field crop plant seeds;

ii) heating the flowability enhancing agent so as to form a liquid phase or a gaseous phase; iii) cooling the liquid phase or gaseous phase of ii) to below the melting point of the flowability enhancing agent, forming a solid; iv) machining the solid flowability enhancing agent of step iii) into particles of a pre-determined VND as herein defined; and v) applying the particles of iv) to field crop plant seeds.

Field crop plant seeds are typically selected from oil seeds of the Crucifer family such as canola (B. campestris) and oilseed rape (B.

napus) ; seeds of other Crucifer plant species including those of plants of the B. oleraceae such as seeds of types of cabbages, broccolis, cauliflowers, kales, Brussels sprouts, and kohlrabis; seeds of alliums including onion, leek and garlic. Other crop plant seeds suitable for coating with particulate compositions of use in methods of, and in uses of the invention include capsicurns, tomatoes, cucurbits such as cucumbers, cantaloupes, summer squashes, pumpkins, butternut squashes, tropical pumpkins, calabazas, winter squashes, watermelons, lettuces, zucchinis (courgettes), aubergines, carrots, parsnips, swedes, turnips, sugar beet, celeriacs, Jerusalem artichokes, artichokes, bck choi, celery, Chinese cabbage, horse radish, musk melons, parsley, radish, spinach, beetroot for table consumption, linseed, sunflower, safflower, sesame, carob, coriander, mustard, grape, flax, dika, hemp, okra, poppy, castor, jojoba and the like.

The flowability enhancing agent of use in the invention may comprise ore or more waxes as herein defined. Preferably, the wax is selected from montan wax, paraffin wax and carnauba wax. Most preferably the wax of choice is carnauba wax. Where two or more waxes of use in the invention are employed as the flowability enhancing agent in a seed coating composition of use in the invention they may be heated together so as to form a liquid phase or a gaseous phase during which phases the waxes may be mixed, if required. Once the waxes are mixed they may be coded oc below the melting point of the wax possessing the lowest melting point in the liquid phase (where a gas phase is employed, this will be cooled to a liquid phase) , forming a solid which may then be machined, such as by comminution, into particles of a pre-deterrnined VMD as herein defined using conventional procedures. Once the wax is in the form of particles of a known VMD, the particles may be applied to field crop seeds via conventional means.

The flowability enhancement agent of use in the invention is typically applied to field crop plant seeds in dry particulate form.

The flowability enhancing agent may be selected from organic materials selected from organic waxes having a melting point of >40, >5000, more preferably of >60°c, and most preferably are made up of hard waxes having a melting point of >70°C. Suitable waxes for use in the inventicn include mineral waxes, synthetic waxes and natural waxes as hereinbefore defined. Examples of waxes of use in the invention include carnauba wax, beeswax, Chinese wax, shellac wax, spermaceti wax, myricyl palmitate, cetyl palmitate, candelilla wax, castor wax, ouricury wax, wool wax, sugar cane wax, retamo wax, rice bran wax or a mixture of two or more thereof. Preferably, the flowability enhancement agent includes a substantial proportion of carnauba wax up to 100%, for example 1%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or any proportion therein between, the rest being made up of at least one other flowability enhancement agent as herein defined. Preferably, the selected flowability enhancement agent is a wax selected from mineral waxes and natural waxes or a mixture of two or more thereof such as carnauba wax, montan wax, paraffin wax or a mixture of two or more thereof. Preferably the flowability enhancement agent is one of or a mixture of carnauba wax and nontan wax. Most preferably, the flowability enhancement agent is carnauba wax.

The skilled addressee will appreciate that the waxes of use in the invention may be applied simply as flowability enhancenent agents per se, and in that form do not carry or contain an active agent such as a pesticide, a growth enhancing agent or other agents such as a fertiliser. Furthermore, the skilled addressee will appreciate that flowability enhancement agents of use in the invention may be added to seed coats (testa) of uncoated or non-pelleted seed typically in the form of dry particles. The skilled addressee will also appreciate that flowability enhancement agents of use in the invention may be added as an external layer on a conventional dry, pelleted seed or on a conventional dry, coated seed typically in the form of dry particles. In any context of addition of flowability enhancement agents to coated, pelleted or uncoated field crop plant seeds, the skilled addressee will further appreciate that the flowability enhancing agent may also be added to field crop plant seeds in the form of semi-solid droplets or liquid droplets provided always that the viability of the field crop plant seeds is not significantly adversely affected.

The skilled addressee will also appreciate that where active agents may be added to flowability enhancing agents of use in the invention, effective amounts of active agent may be encapsulated or carried by the flowability enhancing agent but the level of such active agents should not significantly interfere with the ability of the flowability enhancing agent to adhere to field crop plant seeds or of the ability of the flowability enhancing agent to control dust drift. Flowability enhancing agents of the invention may include active agents that may make up to 20% by mass of the particles, preferably up to about 10% by mass of the particles, and most preferably from about 5%-8% by mass of the particles. The choice of active agent that may be carried or encapsulated by a flowability enhancing particle of use in the invention is selected by design.

Suitable active agents that may be carried by particles of use in the invention may be selected from pesticides, fertilizers, growth enhancing agents and the like.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided use of a composition in improving the flowability of seeds within a population of field crop plant seeds, wherein the composition comprises at least a flowability enhancing agent comprising particles of wax that adhere to individual field crop seeds more firmly than a compound or composition that is a flowability enhancing agent that comprises a substance that is or includes a mineral earth component.

The particles of wax of use in the invention comprise at least one species of wax selected from mineral waxes, natural waxes and synthetic waxes as defined herein above. The selected wax comprises at least one species of wax that has a melting temperature of »=40°C, preferably a melting temperature of »=50°C, and most preferably a melting temperature of »=70°C. In a preferment, the wax comprises at least one species of wax selected from carnauba wax, montan wax, and paraffin wax or a mixture of two or more thereof.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided use of a composition in controlling dust drift, preferably reducing the amount of dust drift, from a population of field crop plant seeds, wherein the composition comprises at least a flowability enhancing agent comprising particles of wax that adhere to individual field crop seeds more firmly than a compound or composition that is a flowability enhancing agent that comprises a substance that is or includes a mineral earth component.

The particles of wax of use in controlling dust drift comprise at least one species of wax selected from mineral waxes, natural waxes and synthetic waxes as defined herein above. The selected wax comprises at least one species of wax that has a melting temperature of »=4000, preferably a melting temperature of »=5000, and most preferably a melting temperature of »=70°C. In a preferment, the wax comprises at least one species of wax selected from carnauba wax, montan wax, and paraffin wax or a mixture of two or more thereof.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of controlling dust drift from a population of field crop plant seeds by placing individual field crop plant seeds in contact with particles of a flowability enhancement agent that comprises at least one species of wax that adheres more firmly to the said plant seeds than a compound or composition that comprises a substance that is a mineral earth or includes a mineral earth component.

In this aspect of the invention, the species of wax comprises at least one species of wax selected from mineral waxes, natural waxes and synthetic waxes. Preferably, the at least one species the wax comprises at least one species of wax that has a melting temperature of »=40°C. More preferably, the species of wax comprises at least one species of wax that has a melting temperature of »=5O°C. More preferably still, the at least one species of wax has a melting temperature of »=70°C. Most preferably, the species of wax comprises at least one species of wax selected from carnauba wax, montan wax, and paraffin wax or a mixture of two or more thereof.

In a still further aspect of the invention there is provided use of a composition in controlling dust drift, preferably in reducing dust drift, from a population of field crop plant seeds, wherein the composition comprises a flowability enhancement agent comprising particles of wax that are adhered to individual field crop plant seeds more firmly than a compound or composition that comprises a substance that is or includes a mineral earth component. In this aspect of the invention, the wax comprises at least one species of wax selected from mineral waxes, natural waxes and synthetic waxes.

Preferably, the wax comprises at least one species of wax that has a melting temperature of »=4000. More preferably, the wax comprises at least one species of wax that has a melting temperature of »=5000.

Still more preferably, the wax comprises at least one species of wax that has a melting temperature of »=70°C. More preferably again, the wax comprises at least one species of wax selected from carnauba wax, montan wax, and paraffin wax or a mixture of two or more thereof. Most preferably, the wax is carnauba wax.

There now follow examples and figures that illustrate the invention.

It is to be understood that the examples and figures are not to be construed as limiting the invention in any way.

Figure 1: Boxplot of Heubaoh test Results

Examples Section

Assess the adhesion properties for Entostat at a range of loadings using oilseed rape (Brassica napus)

STUDY OUTLINE

The purpose of the study was two-fold: firstly, to assess the ability of Entostat to adhere to seed in a situation designed to replicate a commercial seed sowing environment, and secondly, to determine a relationship between seed type, loading and adhesion. It is intended that the resulting data is applicable to a number of individual elements of the seed treatment project. Information regarding optimum loading can be combined with enumeration studies using microbial control agents to indicate the potential for Entostat as a simple dust-on" application method for biofungicides.

It will also provide insight as to the possibility of a role for Entostat in reformulation of existing chemical seed treatments, with special emphasis on the reduction of dust-drift. Recent studies [Krupke, C.H. et al. Multiple Routes of Pesticide Exposure for Honey Bees Living Near Agricultural Fields. PLoS ONE 7, e29268 (2012); J. pistorius et al Bee Poisoning Incidents in Germany in Spring 2008 Caused by Abrasion of Active Substance from Treated Seeds During Sowing of Maize. Julius-KUhn-Arcliiv 423, (2009)] have identified that The drift of material from treated seeds during sowing is responsible for large scale bee mortality.

The described method is intended to assess the amount of free floating dust and abrasion particles of treated seeds under defined mechanical stress conditions.

Treated seeds are mechanically stressed inside a rotating drum. A vacuum pump creates an air flow through the rotating drum, the connected glass cylinder and the attached filter unit. By the air flow, abraded dust particles are transported out of the rotating drum through the glass cylinder and subsequently through the filter unit-Coarse non-floating particles are separated and collected in the glass cylinder while floating dust particles are deposited onto a filter. The amount of floating dust collected on the filter is determined gravimetrically.

TEST ITEM DETAILS

Steps in Air Milling in Boyes Micronisation Process (for carnauba wax particles with a VMD of approx. 10pm) 1. 2kg carnauba wax blocks are first kibbled into approximately 4 to 6mm pieces in a MT Handling Ltd Model 04 kibbler (serial no. 729/C) following the manufacturer's instructions.

2. The kibbled pieces are then passed through a Apex Construction Ltd Model 314.2 Cornminuting Mill (serial-no. A21306) and reduced further in size to a range of 250 to 300um.

3. The cornminuted particles are then passed through a Hosokawa Micron Ltd Alpine 100AFG jet mill (serial no. 168092) following the manufacturer's instructions, setting the mill at a speed of 12500rpm, with a positive system pressure of 0.O3bar.

4. The grinding air is to be kept to 6 bar, the system rinsing air flow and Classifying Wheel gap rinsing air are both to be set at a minimum of 0.5 bar and no more than 0.75bar, the cleaning air filter is to register a delta of no more than Sbar to achieve a final population of particles with a VMD of 9.S8um.

Er±tostat was combined with oilseed rape seed at three loadings (see below) . Oilseed Rape seed (Sesame, LS Plant Breeding) was supplied by Ebbage Seeds Ltd. (Downham Market, Norfolk)

REFERENCE ITEM DETAILS

* Oilseed Rape (Sesame, LS Plant Breeding) pre-treated with Modesto (Bayer CropScience AG, Monheim am Rhein, Germany) * Talc -Simple Talc, tinscented, Johnsons

TREATMENTS

1. Oilseed Rape treated with 0.01% Entostat (by mass) 2. Oilseed Rape treated with 0.1% Entostat (by mass) 3. Oilseed Rape treated with 1% Entostat (by mass) 4. Oilseed Rape treated with 1% Talc (by mass) 5. Oilseed Rape, untreated All treatments were replicated three times

TEST SYSTEM

Apparatus: An analytical balance (accuracy 0.1 mg) As the last digit of a scale carries a larger error it is recommended to use a 5-decimal scale to achieve an accurate reading of the 4th decimal.

Heubach Dustmeter device (Heubach GmbH, Heubachstrasse 7, 38685 Langelsheim, Germany) * Metal rotating drum * Glass cylinder * Non-electrostatic filter housing with conditioned glass fiber filter disc (Whatman GF 92 or Macherey Nagel Type MN

85/70 EF, or equivalent specification)

* Drive & control unit with touch screen control panel Constant climate chamber (e.g. Binder, KEF 720) ?aper bags (not airtight) Air ionizer (e.g. Sartorius, STAT-FAN YIB-0l, or PRX Ti field ionizer from Haug GmbH, Germany, or equivalent) Seed Counter (e.g. Pfeuffer, Contador or GTA Sensorik, Marvin, or equivalent)

SAMPLE

A sample must consist of at least 500 g +/-5% of seeds. The thousand grain weight (TGW) of the seeds is listed below: Seed Type Thousand Grain Weight g (TGW) Dilseed Rape 2.9 Samples were prepared in block bottom bags (1.4kg) l50x32x3l0mrn.

250g of seed was added, followed by the appropriate quantity of the required treatment, before the final 250g of seed were added. The bags were then agitated for 20 seconds to ensure an even distribution of treatment throughout the seed sample. The bags were then labelled and sealed ready for testing at TNCOTEC Analytical Lab Europe By, Graanmarkt 3a,1681 PA Zwaagdijk-Oost, the Netherlands.

Sample Schedule sample by number Crop Treatment %age mass Replicate untreated 1 OSR control n/a n/a 1 untreated 2 OSR control n/a n/a 2 untreated 3 OSR control n/a n/a 3 4 OSR Entostat 0.01 0.05 1 OSR Entostat 0.01 0.05 2 6 OSR Entostat 0.01 0.05 3 7 OSR Entostat 0.1 0.5 1 8 OSR Entostat 0.1 0.5 2 9 OSR Entostat 0.1 0.5 3 OSR Entostat 1.0 5 1 11 OSR Entostat 1.0 5 2 12 GEE Entostat 1.0 5 3 13 OSR Commercial n/a n/a 1 14 OSR Commercial n/a n/a 2 OSR Commercial n/a n/a 3 16 GEE Talc 1.0 5 1 17 OSR Talc 1.0 5 2 18 GEE Talc 1.0 5 3 Commercial Seed Treatments Used: Modesto on oilseed rape PROCEDURE (following guidelines defined by European Seed Association STAT Dust Working Group, Version 1.01 23.03.2011) Laboratory Conditions The test was performed in a laboratcry (separated from the treating area) at 20°C to 25°C and 30% tc 70% relative humidity free of free floating dust particles.

Calibration No calibration is necessary before measurement. Air flow rate, time of measurements and rotational settings are checked on a routine basis (every 2-3 years) by the technical service of the manufacturer or an equivalent qualified technical service.

paratus preparation During initial installation of the Heubach equipment make sure that the same is horizontally levelled.

After disconnecting the vacuum tube from the filter unit, the Heubach device is stepwise disassembled: the filter unit is removed and opened, the glass cylinder removed and finally the metal drum removed and opened.

Make sure that all components which are in contact with seed or dust (i.e. rotating drum, glass cylinder, and filter unit including rubber 0-ring) are thoroughly clean. Cleaning is routinely done using a vacuum cleaner with a pointed nozzle.

Note: If the drum is either used for the first time in this test or has been cleaned with alcohol there is a need to run 2 cycles with treated seeds before starting the actual measurements on samples. This ensures a constant occupancy of the pores in the metal surface.

Switch on the main power of the Heubach device mm. 30 minutes before starting any measurement in order to allow proper warm-up of the flow meter. For setting the parameters on the control panel choose the program "User Method" in which the parameters are manually set to the values below. It is recommended to set the parameters after full assembly of the device.

Parameter settings Rotation speed = 3D[rpm] Rotation time = 120 sec Airflow rate = 20 [litres per minute] Sample Preparation Prior to testing, seed samples are stored in a constant climate chamber for at least 48 hours (2 days) at 20°C ± 2°C and at 50% ± 10% relative humidity. To allow equilibration, seeds must be kept in paper bags (not airtight) when entering the climate chamber.

For obtaining a working sample a gentle method should be used to reduce the submitted sample in size to the size needed for the test. This to avoid damage to the treated seed which could lead to artificially enhanced dust levels. Examples of gentle methods are the modified halving method, the spoon method and the hand halving method described in the ISTA Rules.

Measurement Carefully transfer (avoid dust) 100 ± 1 grams of the conditioned seeds (weight seeds w5 [g]; accuracy: 0.01 gram) into the metal drum of the Heubach device, then close and reassemble the drum and connect the glass cylinder. The system has to be levelled perfectly horizontally and no obstruction of the rotating parts and cf the internal or external airflow must take place.

The time for transferring and analysing the sample is to be kept as short as possible in order to avoid a change in its relative humidity. A contamination with non-seed dust particles must be excluded.

Place a glass fibre filter disc (Whatman OF 92 or similar specification) in the filter unit according to the description in the manual. For equilibration with the laboratory conditions, the filter *discs will be stored in an open box next to the Heubach device. In order to prevent effects resulting from electrostatic charging, the use of a non-electrostatic filter-housing offered by HEtJBACH is compulsory to use. The filter unit including the filter disc is weighed (weight filter assembly wO [g]; accuracy: 0.1 mg), placed on the glass cylinder and connected to the vacuum tube.

On the control panel pre-select the "time" option. Start the rotation cycle by pressing "I" on the control panel. After completion of the run, the roration must have fully stopped before any parts of the apparatus may be disassembled. Remove the filter unit including the filter disc carefully from the glass cylinder and weigh it in the same manner as described before (weight filter assembly wl [g] ; accuracy: 0.1 mg) If significant amounts of dust have passed through the filter disc (by visible inspection), the test must be stopped immediately and the filter unit checked for incorrect assembly or damages. If necessary, it has to be replaced and the test has to be repeated.

The test has to be performed twice. After each measurement, the apparatus is cleaned.

If the rotation speed (rpm) displayed on the control panel during the measurement deviates more than ±10% from the pre-set value or if the total air volume sampled during the measurement deviates more than ±10 % from the expected volume of 40 L (20 L/min for 2 ruin) the measurement has to be redone.

As a back-up control for the air volume a separate flow-meter [e.g. DFM Typ SVB (Uniflux i") from VAF-Fluid-Technik GmbH, Germany; www.vaf-fluidtechnik.de] can be inserted in the plastic air hose.

Evaluation and Calculation of Results The Reubach dust value is expressed in g / 100 kg of treated seeds. Depending on requirements and seed type tested, the result can be also expressed in g / 100,000 kernels, taking into account the Thousand Seed Weight (TSW) of the tested sample.

Use the following formula to convert the measured result to the Heubach dust value: (W1 -W0) x l00,C00 Heubach dust value = [g / 100 kg] or alternatively expressed in g / 100,000 kernels (W1 -Wo) x 100 x TGW Heubach dust valu-[g / 100,000 kernels] w3 where: Wi = weight of the loaded filter unit md. filter disc [gJ N9 = weight of the empty filter unit mci.

filter disc [g] N5 = weight of the treated seeds [g] 100,000 = conversion factor a [ I = conversion factor b I I TGW = Thousand Grain Weight fg / 1000 kernels] The final result is the mean of the two measurements. If a threshold value is defined the test must be repeated if one test result is higher than 50% of the threshold value and if the two test results differ more than 20% from each other. In case of experimental or voluntarily purposes without a mandated threshold value (e.g. small seeded crops) the test must be repeated if the two test results differ more than 20% and at least one test result exceeds 1 g/100 kg. If both test results are below 1 g/l00 kg and the two results differ more than 0.2 g the test must be repeated.

Simultaneous Tests for General Linear Hypotheses Source DF SS MS F P Treatment 5 3426.83 685.37 76.66 >0.0001 Error 12 107.28 8.94 Total 17 3534.11 Multiple Comparisons of Means: Tukey Contrasts Grouping Information Using Tukey Method Treatment N Mean Grouping OSRTa1c1 3 37.339 OSREntol 3 0.589 B OSRComin 3 0.576 B OSRcontrol 3 0.260 B OSREntoO.1 3 0.088 B OSREritoO.01 3 0.083 B Means that do not share a letter are significantly different.

Linear Hypotheses: Estimate Std.Error t value Pr(>ItI) OsRcont -OSRComm 0.316 2.441 0.130 1.000 OSREntO.01 -CSRComm 0.493 2.441 0.202 1.000 OSREntO.1 -OSRComm 0.488 2.441 0.200 1.000 OSREnti -OsRCornrn 0.013 2.441 0.005 1.000 OSRTaicl -OSRComm 36.762 2.441 15.059 <le_06*** OSREntO.01 -OSRcont 0.176 2.441 0.072 1.000 OSREnt0.1 -OSRcont 0.172 2.441 0.071 1.000 OSREntl -OSRcont 0.329 2.441 0.135 1.000 OSRTa1c1 -OSRcont 37.078 2.441 15.188 <le_06*** OSREntO.1-CSREfltO.01 0.004 2.441 0.002 1.000 OSREnt1-OSREntO.01 0.506 2.441 0.207 1.000 QSRTa1c1-OSREnt0.01 37.255 2.441 15.261 <le_06*** OSREnt1 -OSREntO.1 0.501 2.441 0.205 1.000 OSRTa1c1-OSREntO.1 37.251 2.441 15.259 <le_06*** OSRTa1c1 -QSREnt 36.749 2.441 15.053 <le_06*** Statistical significance code: 0!***! Ent = Entostat® Trade mark of Exosect Limited for carnauba wax particles OSRCOmm = commercial oilseed rape seed OSRcont = oilseed rape control METHOD FOR ASSESSING FLOWABILITY/PLANTABILITY Seed treatments are assessed to measure their impact on the plantability and flowability of the treated seed. "Plantability" relates to a measurement of sowing inaccuracies, such as, seed dropping failures and double seed drops occurring a predetermined distance or area. "Flowability" refers to the treated seeds ability to flow or move through a typical planting process using conventional sowing equipment. Clogging and clumping of seeds that may occur through the sowing process is a factor that affects the efficiency of flowability of seed. If clumping and clogging occurs it can lead to an uneven stand of crops. Internal friction angles and the flowability index (the ratio of the highest consolidation stress and unconfined yield strength) of the material are measured.

The coefficient of uniformity for the Entostat treated seed is compared to that of untreated and commercially treated seed (polymer-coated and talc) SGS Crop and Seed Services (Geneva, Switzerland) provide a testing service for the determination of flowability/plantability of seed to the public in accordance with standardised protocols that are widely acceptable to the seed industry.

Results Differences in flowability/plantability from treated oilseed rape seed are observed relative to controls.

Claims

C LA I MS1. A method of controlling the flowability of a population of field crop plant seeds by placing individual seeds in contact with particles of a flowability enhancing agent that is made up of at least one species of wax that adheres more firmly to the said crop plant seeds than a compound or composition that comprises a substance that is or includes a mineral earth component.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the wax comprises at least one species of wax selected from mineral waxes, natural waxes and synthetic waxes.
3. A method according to claim 1 or clam 2, wherein the wax comprises at least one species of wax that has a melting temperature of »=40°C.
4. A method according to any one of clams 1 to 3, wherein the wax comprises at least one species of wax that has a melting temperature of »=50°C.
5. A method according to any one of clams 1 to 4, wherein the wax comprises at least one species of wax that has a melting temperature of »=70°C.
6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the wax comprises at least one species of wax selected from carnauba wax, montan wax, and paraffin wax or a mixture of two or more thereof.
7. Use of a composition in controlling the flowability of seeds within a population of field crop plant seeds, wherein the composition comprises at least a flowability enhancing agent comprising particles of wax that adhere to individual field crop seeds more firmly than a compound or composition that is a flowability enhancing agent that comprises a substance that is or includes a mineral earth component.
8. Use according to claim 7, wherein the wax comprises at least one species of wax selected from mineral waxes, natural waxes and synthetic waxes.
9. Use according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the wax comprises at least one species of wax that has a melting temperature of >4000.
10. Use according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the wax comprises at least one species of wax that has a melting temperature of >50°C.
11. Use according to any one of clams 7 to 10, wherein the wax ccmprises at least one species of wax that has a melting temperature of >70°C.
12. Use according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the wax comprises at least one species of wax selected from carnauba wax, montan wax, and paraffin wax or a mixture of two or more thereof.
13. J\ method of controlling dust drift from a population of field crop plant seeds by placing individual field crop plant seeds in contact with particles of a flowability enhancement agent that comprises at least one species of wax that adheres more firmly to the said plant seeds than a compound or composition that comprises a substance that is a mineral earth or includes a mineral earth component.
14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the wax comprises at least one species of wax selected from mineral waxes, natural waxes and synthetic waxes.
15. A method according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the wax comprises aL least one species of wax that has a melting temperature of »=40°C.
16. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the wax comprises at least one species of wax that has a melting temperature of »=50°c.
17. A method according to any one cf clams 13 to 16, wherein the wax comprises at least one species of wax that has a melting temperature of »=7000.
18. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the wax comprises at least one species of wax selected from carnauba wax, montan wax, and paraffin wax or a mixture of two or more thereof.
19. Use of a composition in controlling dust drift from a population of field crop plant seeds, wherein the composition comprises a flowability enhancement agent comprising particles of wax that are adhered to individual field crop plant seeds more firmly than a compound or composition that comprises a substance that is or includes a mineral earth component.
20. Use according to claim 19, wherein the wax oomprises at least cne species of wax selected from mineral waxes, natural waxes and synthetic waxes.
21. Use according to claim 19 or claim 20, wherein the wax comprises at least one species of wax that has a melting temperature of »=40°c2.
22. Use according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the wax comprises at least one species of wax that has a melting temperature of »=50°C.
23. Use according to any one of clams 19 to 22, wherein the wax comprises at least one species of wax that has a melting temperature of »=70°C.
24. Use according to any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein the wax comprises at least one species of wax selected from carnauba wax, montan wax, and paraffin wax or a mixture of two or more thereof.