A conveyor having a conveyance structure, mixing components, belt, and gas manifold. The gas manifold disposed within or on an exterior portion of the structure. The gas manifold having one or more manifold outlet ports to dry, condition, or treat a metered stream of seed within the conveyor. The manifold may be operably connected to a recirculating air system providing the vacuum source and pressurized air source of atmospheric or conditioned air. A filter and vacuum port may extract debris or humidity from the metered stream of seed within the conveyor. A plurality of mixing baffles may be longitudinally spaced apart through the conveyor in a laterally alternating manner to mix the metered stream of seed. The conveyor may be used to transfer, mix, dry, condition and treat the metered stream of seed between multiple stages of treatment.

The present disclosure provides methods for increasing the survivability of microorganisms in seed treatment compositions that comprise one or more antimicrobial compounds.

Disclosed is a functionalized particle having at its core a porous particle that acts as a structured support element. This porous particle is surrounded by a protective sealant layer encasing the porous particle. The particle includes a plurality of pores holding a first beneficial agricultural component. The functionalized particle can also include a plurality of functionalized molecules embedded in the sealant layer. The functionalized molecules comprise a base material, comprising an active agricultural component or an inactive material, and an active second beneficial agricultural component. The functionalized molecules can all contain the same base material and the same active second beneficial agricultural component or a mixture of different base materials and a mixture of second beneficial agricultural components. The first and second beneficial agricultural components can either be single components or a mixture of components and may be the same or different from each other.

Disclosed is a functionalized particle having at its core a porous particle that acts as a structured support element. This porous particle is surrounded by a protective sealant layer encasing the porous particle. The particle includes a plurality of pores holding a first beneficial agricultural component. The functionalized particle can also include a plurality of functionalized molecules embedded in the sealant layer. The functionalized molecules comprise a base material, comprising an active agricultural component or an inactive material, and an active second beneficial agricultural component. The functionalized molecules can all contain the same base material and the same active second beneficial agricultural component or a mixture of different base materials and a mixture of second beneficial agricultural components. The first and second beneficial agricultural components can either be single components or a mixture of components and may be the same or different from each other.

Disclosed herein is a method of automatically calibrating a liquid treatment system in a seed treater. The method is performed by pumping a seed treatment liquid using a seed treater pump, receiving the seed treatment liquid in a container, detecting when a predetermined volume of seed treatment liquid has filled the container using a first level sensor and a second level sensor and automatically adjusting a flow rate of the liquid in response to a time required to fill the container. Adjusting the flow rate may be done by adjusting a speed of the pump.

Disclosed herein is a method of automatically calibrating a liquid treatment system in a seed treater. The method is performed by pumping a seed treatment liquid using a seed treater pump, receiving the seed treatment liquid in a container, detecting when a predetermined volume of seed treatment liquid has filled the container using a first level sensor and a second level sensor and automatically adjusting a flow rate of the liquid in response to a time required to fill the container. Adjusting the flow rate may be done by adjusting a speed of the pump.

A method for capturing material extracted from biochar is provided comprising the steps of: (i) providing a biochar; (ii) contacting the biochar with an extraction media, where the extraction media causes the removal of residual compounds from the pores and surface of the biochar, creating a resulting extract comprised of the extraction media and removed compounds; and (iii) collecting the resulting extract. The method also can include other steps of extraction and purification. The method further comprises the step of applying the resulting extract to seeds, plants, soil, other agricultural products, or for use in other applications. A biochar having high levels of soluble signaling compounds is also provided, where the biochar is derived from a biomass source that together with predefined pyrolysis parameters produces resulting biochar having increased levels of soluble signaling compounds that are known to increase seed germination rates and early plant growth. Such soluble signaling compounds can then be collected in a biochar extract by contacting the biochar with an extraction media.

A method for capturing material extracted from biochar is provided comprising the steps of: (i) providing a biochar; (ii) contacting the biochar with an extraction media, where the extraction media causes the removal of residual compounds from the pores and surface of the biochar, creating a resulting extract comprised of the extraction media and removed compounds; and (iii) collecting the resulting extract. The method also can include other steps of extraction and purification. The method further comprises the step of applying the resulting extract to seeds, plants, soil, other agricultural products, or for use in other applications. A biochar having high levels of soluble signaling compounds is also provided, where the biochar is derived from a biomass source that together with predefined pyrolysis parameters produces resulting biochar having increased levels of soluble signaling compounds that are known to increase seed germination rates and early plant growth. Such soluble signaling compounds can then be collected in a biochar extract by contacting the biochar with an extraction media.

Provided herein are absorbent polymers produced from beta-propiolactone, and methods and systems of producing such polymers. The beta-propiolactone may be derived from ethylene oxide and carbon monoxide. The absorbent polymer may be bio-based and/or biodegradable. The absorbent polymers may be used for diapers, adult incontinence products, and feminine hygiene products, as well as for agricultural applications.

Provided herein are absorbent polymers produced from beta-propiolactone, and methods and systems of producing such polymers. The beta-propiolactone may be derived from ethylene oxide and carbon monoxide. The absorbent polymer may be bio-based and/or biodegradable. The absorbent polymers may be used for diapers, adult incontinence products, and feminine hygiene products, as well as for agricultural applications.