GB413907A - Improvements in or relating to the treatment of seeds - Google Patents

Abstract

Seeds for sowing are treated with solutions of hydrogen peroxide, per salts or true peroxides of strength corresponding to a hydrogen peroxide solution of more than 3 per cent and preferably of 10 to 40 per cent or more under conditions limiting the action of the solutions to the exterior of the seeds. In specific examples a limited quantity of the liquid is sprayed or otherwise applied to the material and distributed by shaking, shovelling or mechanical mixing. Iron and copper salts may be added to act as catalysts and the action may be accelerated or retarded by the use of hydrogen peroxide in alkaline or acid solutions respectively; the material may also be previously treated with alkaline or acid solutions. In the use of percompounds the liquid used may be evaporated by the heat generated so that the seeds may be stored immediately after treatment. As examples of per salts, percarbonates, persulphates, perphosphates and perarseniates are mentioned and the peroxides of calcium, magnesium and barium may be used; organic percompounds such as percarbamide or compounds of the systems hexamethylenetetramine-H2O2 may be employed. Pickling agents such as mercury salts or organic mercury compounds and/or fertilizing agents may also be added. Specification 393,808 is referred to.ALSO:Seeds for sowing are treated with solutions of hydrogen peroxide, per salts or true peroxides of strength corresponding to a hydrogen peroxide solution of more than 3 per cent. and preferably of 10 to 40 per cent. or more under conditions limiting the action of the solutions to the exterior of the seeds. In specific examples a limited quantity of the liquid is sprayed or otherwise applied to the material and distributed by shaking, shovelling or mechanical mixing. Iron and copper salts may be added to act as catalysts and the action may be accelerated or retarded by the use of hydrogen peroxide in alkaline or acid solutions respectively: the material may also be previously treated with alkaline or acid solutions. In the use of percompounds the liquid used may be evaporated by the heat generated so that the seeds may be stored immediately after treatment. As examples of per salts, percarbonates, persulphates, per-phosphates and per-arseniates are mentioned and the peroxides of calcium, magnesium and barium may be used: organic per compounds such as percarbamide or compounds of the system hexamethylenetetramine-H2O2 may be employed. Pickling agents such as mercury salts or organic mercury compounds and/or fertilizing agents may also be added. Specification 393,808 is referred to.