Process for producing seeds coated with a microbial composition
AssigneeLiphatech
InventorsR. Stewart Smith, Robert M. Osburn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A process for liquid application of a dry microbial preparation to seeds is described wherein superior survival is obtained upon drying of the preparation on the seeds. The process for coating seeds with dry, dormant microorganisms according to the invention includes an initial step of forming the dry, dormant microorganisms. Seeds are then coated with a composition comprising the dry, dormant microorganisms, water, and an additive effective for enhancing survival of the microorganisms during exposure to the water used in the coating and subsequent drying process.
Claims17
A process for coating seeds, comprising:
- coating seeds with a coating composition comprising dried, dormant microorganisms, water, and an additive which comprises a carbohydrate and which is effective for enhancing survival of the microorganisms during exposure to the water used in the coating step;
- and
- then drying the coated seeds to produce seeds coated with a film containing dry, dormant microorganisms;
- wherein the coating and drying steps are conducted so that the dried, dormant microorganisms become moistened for a sufficient time to form the coated seeds and are returned to a dry state within a total water exposure period of no more than about 12 hours.
A process for coating seeds, comprising:
- coating seeds with a film-forming composition comprising dried, dormant bacteria comprising rhizobia or bradyrhizobia of a species and in an amount effective to promote nitrogen fixation in a plant growing from the coated seed, a particulate carrier, water, and an amount of a carbohydrate effective for enhancing survival of the bacteria during exposure to the water;
- wherein said composition is formed by admixing a solid mixture of said dried, dormant microorganisms and said particulate carrier with a solution comprising water and said carbohydrate;
- and
- then drying the coated seeds, to form seeds coated with a film containing dry, dormant microorganisms;
- wherein the admixing, film coating and drying steps are conducted so that the dry, dormant bacteria become moistened for a sufficient time to form the film-coated seeds and are returned to a dry state within a total water exposure period of not more than about 12 hours.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.