METHOD FOR PRESOWING TREATMENT OF SEEDS Russian patent published in 1997 - IPC

FIELD: agriculture, in particular, seed growing. SUBSTANCE: method involves exposing seeds to continuous joint action of red and infrared radiation for 60-360 sec. Infrared radiation flux has wave length of 900-980 nm (with maximum flux intensity at wave length of 940 nm) and power density of 1.0-10 W/sq m. Red radiation flux has wave length of 600-720 nm (with maximum flux intensity at 600-670 nm). Ratio of flux density of red and infrared radiation is (5-10):1, respectively. Apparatus has housing 1, frame 2, red and infrared radiation sources 3,4, respectively, power unit and platform 6 for seeds to be exposed to radiation. Seeds are discharged from hopper 7. Apparatus is further provided with column 8 and system 9 for moving frame 2 in vertical direction. Radiation sources 3,4 may be made in the form of light-emitting diodes on the basis of solid gallium-aluminum-arsenic solution, with components being used in the following ratio: As -30%, [Ga+Al] the balance. Radiation sources 3,4 may be alternatively made on the base of solid solution of gallium phosphide. Infrared light-emitting diodes may be made on the base of gallium arsenide. Diode lasers may be also used as radiation sources 3,4. EFFECT: increased germination energy, intensified plant growth force, increased efficiency in suppressing fungal infection, simplified and low-cost construction, reduced power consumption. 3 cl, 4 dwg, 4 tbl