Plant husbandry – Seed tape or mat – method or apparatus
Patent
1981-09-25
1984-04-17
Bagwill, Robert E.
Plant husbandry
Seed tape or mat, method or apparatus
A01C 104
Patent
active
044426275
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to seed planting devices of the type comprising an elongated strip of rigid or semi-rigid material, e.g. of wood, plastics or stiff cardboard, preferably pointed at one end for easy insertion into the ground, and carrying at or adjacent said end, one or more plant seeds adhering or otherwise secured to the strip, so that the seeds can be planted at precise locations and at precise depths simply by pressing the strip into the ground. If desired the strip can be marked with an indicating mark to indicate the precise planting depth, and may be impregnated with, or otherwise support, in a position adjacent the seeds, a nutrient or fertilizer to promote the germination and/or growth of the seed, and/or with a fungicide, pesticide or other protective material to provide a protected environment for the seed growth. For convenience herein, such seed planting devices are referred to as `seed sticks`.
Seed sticks of the foregoing type are known and are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,098,320, 3.098,321, 3,846,954 and 3,908,308.
The present invention provides an improved configuration for such seed sticks which appears to enhance germination and accelerate emergence of the seed or seeds mounted thereon.
In accordance with the disclosures of U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,846,954 and 3,908,308, the seeds are first mixed with a molten wax-like material, e.g. polyethylene glycol, to form a uniform dispersion of the seeds in the wax carrier and then cast into apertures in the stick, and chilled so that the wax sets.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,098,320 the seed or seeds are adhesively secured to the face of the stick and optionally covered by a layer of porous paper, e.g. blotting paper, which protects the seeds and prevents them from being knocked off as the stick is inserted into the ground. The porous protecting layer is also said to provide a wicking function to draw moisture up to the seed. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,098,321, a similar arrangment is disclosed but in this case an indentation is provided in the stick to accommodate the seed or seeds.
In accordance with the present invention we have found that the germination of seeds and/or their rate of emergence is enhanced if the seed or seeds, instead of being mounted in an aperture or indentation, or even on the face of the stick, are mounted on a side tab projecting from the plane of the stick to one side thereof. The reason for the improved germination and/or rate of emergence, which has been noted in a number of different species, is not at all clear. Improved contact with the soil does not seem to be the reason since stick configurations specifically designed to enhance contact with the soil, for example, by mounting the seed at the very tip of a pointed seed stick, do not provide any significant improvement in germination or rate of emergence.
Five different seed stick configurations, two in accordance with the present invention, which have been tested in plant growth trials are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In each case the stick itself comprises a strip of stiff cardboard 1, pointed at one end and marked with a line 2 indicating the desired planting depth. In each case a single plant seed 3 is mounted on the stick using gum arabic (50% aqueous solution) as the adhesive. Other adhesives may be used such as polyvinyl acetate and gum guar, provided that they are non-toxic to the plant seed, but gum arabic is preferred. Complete encapsulation of the seed by the adhesive is best avoided, although improved germination and accelerated emergence are obtained even where the seeds are completely encapsulated, e.g. by immersion in the adhesive solution prior to mounting on the seed stick.
FIGS. 1-5 depict different seed stick configurations.
FIGS. 6-7 depict the results of emergence tests.
In FIG. 1, the seed stick is formed from two layers of cardboard separated at the tip (see the enlargement of FIG. 1a) to form a recess of which receives the seed.
In FIG. 2, the seed 3 is received in a hole 5 in the cardboard strip 1. On the reverse side, a strip 6
REFERENCES:
patent: 1380253 (1921-05-01), Rodger
patent: 2776634 (1957-01-01), Morton
patent: 3098320 (1963-07-01), Estkowski
patent: 3098321 (1963-07-01), Estkowski et al.
patent: 3908308 (1975-09-01), Meyers
patent: 4080755 (1978-03-01), Crosby
patent: 4353183 (1982-10-01), Estkowski
Adams James E.
Laurie Alexander S.
Bagwill Robert E.
Wilkinson Sword Limited
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