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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #147865
Title: GAS DIFFUSION THROUGH SEED COATING FILMS AND GERMINATION OF COATED SEED UNDER WATER STRESS

Author
item TAYLOR, A - DEPT OF HORT, CORNELL UNI
item KIM, S-H - DEPT OF HORT, CORNELL UNI
item Hagenmaier, Robert - Bob

Submitted to: American Society for Horticultural Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/30/2003
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Film coating is a seed treatment technique used commercially on high-value vegetable and ornamental seeds. Film coating has both a cosmetic and functional role, and the primary functional role is to facilitate seed treatment application. However, the uniform films over the seed surface may alter gas diffusion and thus affect germination. Selected commercial film coating formulations were examined along with a reference film coating mixture of known composition. Permeabilities of O2 and CO2, measured for dried coatings of 25 µM thickness, were about the same at 50 and 75% relative humidity. Snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) seeds were coated with film coating polymers, including a non-coated check. Coated seeds were sown in a sandy loam soil, and the moisture content was increased in one percent increments to the point of saturation. The soil oxygen diffusion rate was measured and decreased sharply as the soil approached saturation. The major factor decreasing germination was oxygen stress, while film coating had a secondary influence.