GB849210A - Seed impregnation - Google Patents

Abstract

Seeds such as clover seeds, alfalfa seeds, lima beans and peas are impregnated with finely divided matter, such as bacteria, particularly nitrogen-fixing bacteria of the genus Rhizobium, a symbiotic or beneficial fungus, a relatively insoluble insecticide, fungicide or bactericide, by bringing the seeds at atmospheric pressure into contact with a suspension of the said matter in a liquid such as water, reducing the pressure, e.g. to 1,1 inches of mercury, and then restoring the atmospheric pressure. The impregnated seeds may be separated from the suspension and dried in air. The seeds may be immersed or dipped in the suspension or it may be sprayed on them. The time of contact with the suspension should, preferably, be insufficient to cause swelling of the seeds e.g. about 10 minutes. The suspension may contain a surface tension depressant such as polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, substances which promote bacterial or plant growth, bacterial gum and products of bacterial metabolism. The concentration of bacteria in the slurry may range from 39 x 108 to 39 x 104 bacteria per millilitre. The seeds may be scarified before they are impregnated.