Pre-treatment of sugar beet seeds - possibilities and risks
2001
Lamprecht, H. (Suet Saat- und Erntetechnik, Eschwege (Germany))
Within the framework of raw seed processing to high quality seed, the priming of beet seed makes possible to improve its internal quality. The aim of priming is an improvement of the germination and emergence speed and the homogenisation of the field emergence. For early sowings, a further aim could be the diminution of the tendency to bolters. These aims are achieved by releasing the seed from germination inhibitors and, still more important, by initiating through soaking the metabolism and germination process of the seed. But the outcoming of the radicle must at all costs be avoided, otherwise during the further seed processing the embryo could be spoiled or even killed and this would lead to a worsening of the seed lot quality. This article will give a description of methods that can be useful with beet seed. The simplest method is steeping. Further used methods are damp storage and drum priming. Also known is the solid matrix priming method. For the seed processor, in all mentioned and current methods there is the risk of "overpriming", i.e. the coming out of the radicle and therefore the destruction of the seed. To adapt the method to the different specifical physiological properties of the seed lots and to reduce the risks, a test Driminq of each lot should be carried out. For the farmer there is the risk that in certain fields in spite of a proper, optimised seed priming it could come to plant losses that could destroy the advantages obtained through the faster and more homogeneous emergence compared with not primed seed lots.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by University of Liège