METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SEED TREATMENT APPLICATIONS
Methods and systems to improve application of seed applied components to seeds are disclosed. Environmentally controlled enclosures to test, evaluate and develop seed treatment solutions for certain geographical locations are provided. Controlled environments during seed treatment application process in a production location improves the overall seed treatment efficiency and uniformity.
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32 . A method of applying a seed treatment product to a plurality of corn seeds at a production plant, the method comprising:
a. providing a plurality of corn seeds and one or more seed treatment products;
b. contacting the corn seeds with the one or more seed treatment products in a seed treatment equipment, wherein the seed treatment equipment is positioned within a climate controlled enclosure; and
c. maintaining an appropriate temperature and humidity in the climate controlled enclosure during the seed treatment application, wherein the temperature and humidity are adjusted based on a prior evaluation with the one or more seed treatment products.
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34 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the corn seeds are inbred seeds.
35 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the corn seeds are transgenic seeds comprising a trait selected from the group consisting of herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, and an agronomic trait.
36 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the one or more seed treatment products comprise an insecticide selected from the group consisting of thiamethoxam, clothianidin, chlorantraniliprole, cyantraniliprole, butenolide, acetamprid, sulfoxaflor, and a combination thereof.
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54 . An environmentally controlled seed treatment system at a seed production facility for delivery of treated seeds to a grower, the system comprising:
a. a seed treating equipment configured to apply a plurality of seed applied components to a plurality of seeds;
b. a plurality of climate controlled chambers to substantially enclose the seed treating equipment, wherein the plurality of the chamber are capable of maintaining a plurality of desired ranges of temperatures and humidity;
c. a sensor disposed within the chamber, the sensor selected from the group consisting of temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, and air flow sensors.
55 . A method of evaluating the performance of a seed treatment product under a predetermined environmental condition, the method comprising (a) applying the seed treatment product to a plurality of seeds wherein the seed treatment application is performed using a seed treatment equipment substantially housed within an environmentally controlled chamber; (b) maintaining the predetermined environmental condition selected from the group consisting of temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure during the seed treatment operation, wherein the environmental condition is predetermined based on the environmental condition present in a geographical region; and (c) evaluating the performance of the seed treatment product in the predetermined environmental condition.
56 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the geographical region is characterized as tropical.
57 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the geographical region is characterized as arid.
58 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the climate controlled enclosure is located at a seed production plant.
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61 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the climate controlled enclosure is sized to house the seed treatment container.
62 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the climate controlled enclosure is sized to house the seed treatment products.
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64 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the climate controlled enclosure maintains the seed treatment equipment at a predetermined temperature.
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67 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the climate controlled enclosure includes a sensor to determine an environmental condition.
68 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the sensor is located within the seed treatment container.
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70 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the sensor is located adjacent a source of seed treatment.
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77 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the step of maintaining includes adjusting one of temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure within the climate controlled enclosure based on the difference between the measured one of temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure and one of a predetermined temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure.
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79 . The method of claim 32 , further comprising the step of comparing a measured one of temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure with a predetermined one of temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure.
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82 . The method of claim 32 , wherein one of temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure within the climate controlled enclosure is adjusted based, in part, on change in a measured one of temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure outside of the climate controlled enclosure.
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85 . The method of claim 32 , wherein a source of seed treatment is located within a housing to provide a separating barrier between the climate controlled enclosure and external elements.
86 . The method of claim 32 , wherein an intermediate connection between the climate controlled enclosure and a source of seed treatment is located within a housing to provide a separating barrier between intermediate connection and external elements.