About
  PDF
Full Text
(611 K)

Effects of Polymer Coatings and Density Separations on Cottonseed Viability and Vigor

Daniel B. Olivier, Norman Hopper, and Tom Wedegaertner

ABSTRACT

Preparing cottonseed for planting involves the use of an acid delinting process. Planting equipment requires cottonseed to flow in a single seed manner to function properly. After the ginning process linters and small amounts of long fibers that remain on the seed resist this single seed flowing action by causing the seed to clump together. Therefore, cottonseed is delinted by using an acid delinting procedure prior to planting. The acid delinting process is very effective and inexpensive, yet concerns associated with the process include: potential seed damage, worker safety, waste disposal, and deterioration of equipment exposed to acid. The use of an alternative method of preparing cottonseed for planting could address some of these concerns associated with acid delinting. The objectives of this study were to evaluate various polymer starch coatings and density separations on several measures of seed quality (Cool Germination Test – CGT, Warm Germination Test – WGT, Cool Warm Vigor Index – CWVI, and Environmental Control Chamber Warm Establishment Percentage - EP). The data from the seed quality tests showed that within each treatment across all cultivars, the medium and heavy seed performed significantly higher than the light fraction seed. Generally in the laboratory the mechanical delinted seed performed lower than the acid delinted seed; however, when the polymer coatings were applied the seed performed equal to the acid delinted seed. There were no differences noted among any of the polymer treatments and results indicated that it is possible to separate coated seed into various density fractions. Establishment data in a growth chamber using sand indicated that the acid delinted seed performed lower than the mechanical delinted seed but no differences were noted between mechanical delinted and starch coated seed. The density separations within each treatment kept the same trend in the sand as in the laboratory test, where the medium and heavy fractions performed higher than the light fraction.





[Main TOC] | [TOC] | [TOC by Section] | [Search] | [Help]
Previous Page [Previous] [Next] Next Page

Document last modified 04/27/04