A seed treatment applicator for applying a liquid seed treatment to an agricultural seed within a treatment chamber. A multi-port valve allows a first liquid source and a second liquid source to be fluidly connected to the multi-port valve. Multiple liquid sources may contain the same liquid treatment, mixed differently to have different densities. A liquid pump, such as a static rate pump, is fluidly connected downstream of the multi-port valve or directly connected to a liquid source. A modular control stick comprises a frame mounted to the treatment chamber, a mass flow meter mounted to the frame and fluidly connected downstream of the liquid pump and configured to generate a measured mass flow signal relative to a real time mass flow rate of the liquid seed treatment; and a flow meter transmitter operably connected to the mass flow meter and configured to generate a switch signal when comparison of the measured mass flow signal deviates from a reference value corresponding to a desired flow rate.

A seed treatment applicator for applying a liquid seed treatment to an agricultural seed within a treatment chamber. A multi-port valve allows a first liquid source and a second liquid source to be fluidly connected to the multi-port valve. Multiple liquid sources may contain the same liquid treatment, mixed differently to have different densities. A liquid pump, such as a static rate pump, is fluidly connected downstream of the multi-port valve or directly connected to a liquid source. A modular control stick comprises a frame mounted to the treatment chamber, a mass flow meter mounted to the frame and fluidly connected downstream of the liquid pump and configured to generate a measured mass flow signal relative to a real time mass flow rate of the liquid seed treatment; and a flow meter transmitter operably connected to the mass flow meter and configured to generate a switch signal when comparison of the measured mass flow signal deviates from a reference value corresponding to a desired flow rate.

A metering and mixing system of solid particulates for a rotary seed dispenser in agricultural equipment for sowing, wherein the rotary seed dispenser is mounted under a seed feeder. The rotary seed dispenser is driven at the bottom by a planter drive system, which provides rotation to a spinning disc provided with a number of calibrated orifices through which the seeds housed in the disc orifices fall on a given point of the agricultural equipment. The metering and mixing system of solid particulates includes a solid particulate feeder that is positioned between the seed feeder and the rotary seed dispenser.

A seed coated with a seed grind, and optionally a source of sugar, a source of bicarbonate, and/or a source of fertilizer nutrient to supply plant roots with additional uptake-available carbon and energy to promote rapid growth. A method of coating seeds with the coating and a method of growing plants from the coated seed.

A seed coated with a seed grind, and optionally a source of sugar, a source of bicarbonate, and/or a source of fertilizer nutrient to supply plant roots with additional uptake-available carbon and energy to promote rapid growth. A method of coating seeds with the coating and a method of growing plants from the coated seed.

A seed coating composition comprising a mixture of a fungal root endophyte isolated from a root of the plant found in low-nutrient, drought-stressed or multiply-stressed conditions and a carrier medium for application of said composition to a target seed, wherein the endophyte is characterised in having a nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (nr ITS) with at least a 90% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 3 to 15.

A seed coating composition comprising a mixture of a fungal root endophyte isolated from a root of the plant found in low-nutrient, drought-stressed or multiply-stressed conditions and a carrier medium for application of said composition to a target seed, wherein the endophyte is characterised in having a nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (nr ITS) with at least a 90% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 3 to 15.

Methods for preserving viability of plant tissues such as plant embryos are provided herein. Also included are methods for storing genomic DNA and/or molecular marker assay materials in an oil bilayer as part of a high-throughput molecular characterization system. Moreover, plant embryos may be treated while in an oil matrix. The treatment may include chromosome doubling, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, or herbicide selection as part of an embryo rescue process.

Methods for preserving viability of plant tissues such as plant embryos are provided herein. Also included are methods for storing genomic DNA and/or molecular marker assay materials in an oil bilayer as part of a high-throughput molecular characterization system. Moreover, plant embryos may be treated while in an oil matrix. The treatment may include chromosome doubling, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, or herbicide selection as part of an embryo rescue process.

An Enterobacter species isolated from finger millet, characterized by 16S rRNA gene analysis and the identification of genes that prevent or inhibit the growth of fungal plant pathogens, is disclosed for use with agricultural plants.