Performance of Coated Extra-Large Hulled Confectionary Sunflower Kernels for Precision Planting

摘要

AbstractExtra-large (XL) confectionary sunflower seeds are too large to plant with current precision planters, and a high proportion of seed does not emerge upon planting. Hulling the XL seeds and then coating the kernels has been proposed to improve the viability and plantability of these seeds. Therefore, the objectives were to evaluate the effect of various coating materials and buildup levels, develop lab methods to measure the viability and plantability of coated kernels, and evaluate the impact of seed lubricants on plantability of coated kernels. In this study, eight types of coating materials were applied to sunflower kernels by seed-coating companies, or in house at buildup levels ranging from 8 to 50% resulting in 20 different treatments, and the coated kernels were then evaluated for viability and plantability. The pre-planting germination test results ranged from 72 to 92% among all coated kernel treatments; however, germination was reduced by 6% on average after passage through the planter test stand. The singulation of all the coated kernels improved by up to 24% compared to the XL seed. Singulation of polymer-coated kernels was comparable to large seed. Addition of lubricant to the coated kernels significantly increased the overall singulation and post-planting germination of the coated kernels by 4 and 3%, respectively. Overall, this study showed that coating of kernel—together with the use of a seed lubricant—substantially increased singulation compared to XL seeds, while retaining the kernel viability.