Description
Seed pelleting
The primary objectives of pelleting are deformation, weight gain, modification of seed size and surface structure, used to improve seed viability and yield. The seeds of many crops, especially vegetables, are not round and uniform, and as a result, it is difficult to achieve the desired yield via accurate sowing of these seeds. In other cases, the seeds are so small and light that it is very difficult to plant them precisely in the soil (Smith and Miller, 1987). One of the characteristics of seed pelleting is that the shape of the seed changes completely. Pelleted seeds that have been commercialized in significant quantities include sugar beet, carrots, celery, chicory, anise, leeks, lettuce, onions, peppers, tomatoes, canola, sweet corn and some ornamental flower seeds, especially those with fine-grain seeds (Halmer, 2005).Specific technical issues must be considered during the seed pelleting process. The materials used in this method must be compatible with the seed so that the quality of the seed is maintained, its germination is not prevented and also the success of seed pelleting depends on the fact that there is only one seed in each pellet, otherwise will cause problems with accurate seed sowing. Pellet size can also be important for seed buyers. Therefore, the dimensions of the pelleted seeds are usually adjusted during and after the pelleting process.
Despite these technical problems, seed pelleting is recognized as an important issue in accurate planting of many crops, vegetables, and flowers. Adding useful chemical compounds such as plant hormones, trace elements, insecticides and fungicides to pelleted seeds increases their yield under field conditions.
