Method and apparatus for automatically preparing seeds with an additive to be deployed together with the seeds, wherein the seeds are opened and a predefined amount of additive is introduced into the seeds through the opening.

A device for processing bulk grain products includes a housing with a plurality of modules stacked on top of each other; wherein the modules are at an equal distance from each other, such that the distance is adjustable, wherein each module has horizontal ultraviolet lamps, whose position relative to each is adjustable, and each ultraviolet lamp has a protective coating for protection from mechanical damage and a protective shield above it; each module having an ultraviolet intensity sensor aimed at one of the plurality of lamps; each module having a device for cleaning the ultraviolet lamps from contamination; and each module including a vibrating mechanism; wherein the bulk grain products move from top to bottom, past the ultraviolet lamps under a force of gravity. Optionally, the device may include a bipolar ionizer and/or an infrared heater. Optionally the protective coating is made of polytetrafluoroethylene.

The disclosure provides for compositions and methods of controlling and/or regulating plant size in a controlled environment, for example, a greenhouse or environment for the purpose of testing plants. In another aspect, the disclosure provides for methods of dwarfing plant growth by utilizing a composition or method described herein. The disclosure further provides for methods described herein wherein a plant growth regulator is used to stunt plant growth in order enable more consistent and/or accurate plant feature and property testing.

A devices (10) and method for pasteurizing and/or sterilizing particulate material. The device contain at least one electron source (20) for generating an electron beam and a treatment zone (19) in which the material is pasteurized and/or sterilized by the electron beam. The device (10) comprises a vibration surface (11) which vibrates to convey and individualize the material. The first vibration surface (11) has a plurality of grooves (12) into which the material is conveyed and individualized. The device (10) has a material channel (21) in which the material is pasteurized and/or sterilized by the electron beam in the region of the treatment zone (19). The device (10) has at least one auxiliary channel (22) through which a fluid flows, between the electron source (20) and the material channel (21), and is separated from the material channel (21). A cartridge (24) for pasteurizing and/or sterilizing particulate material is also disclosed.

A devices (10) and method for pasteurizing and/or sterilizing particulate material. The device contain at least one electron source (20) for generating an electron beam and a treatment zone (19) in which the material is pasteurized and/or sterilized by the electron beam. The device (10) comprises a vibration surface (11) which vibrates to convey and individualize the material. The first vibration surface (11) has a plurality of grooves (12) into which the material is conveyed and individualized. The device (10) has a material channel (21) in which the material is pasteurized and/or sterilized by the electron beam in the region of the treatment zone (19). The device (10) has at least one auxiliary channel (22) through which a fluid flows, between the electron source (20) and the material channel (21), and is separated from the material channel (21). A cartridge (24) for pasteurizing and/or sterilizing particulate material is also disclosed.

The present invention provides systems and methods for treating agricultural particulates, such as seeds, beans, granular and powder agricultural products, and the like, with a treatment agent, such as steam, as the agricultural products move forward along a pathway created by an auger, in a chamber, enclosed by an aligned celling and floor, and oppositely disposed lateral walls.

The present invention provides systems and methods for treating agricultural particulates, such as seeds, beans, granular and powder agricultural products, and the like, with a treatment agent, such as steam, as the agricultural products move forward along a pathway created by an auger, in a chamber, enclosed by an aligned celling and floor, and oppositely disposed lateral walls.

Particles are sorted into paths based on a measurable parameter by forming them into a stream in at least one duct carried on a body rotating around an axis where the duct is shaped so that the particles are accelerated to cause the particles separated into the duct to be aligned one after another in a row in the duct. The parameter of the particles are measured in the aligned stream one after the other and the particles are directed into one of a plurality of paths as determined by the measurement. In one arrangement the body comprises a disk member having a front face facing a supply conduit and the duct lies in a radial plane of the disk member. In one arrangement the measurement of the parameter is carried out by one or more measurement devices either carried on the disk or outside the edge of the disk.

A mixing inclined belt conveyor capable of mixing particulate material, specifically wet, freshly treated plant seeds for agricultural purposes. Inserting a plurality of mixing baffles into the stream of the particulate material induces a backflow of the particulate material. In the case of wet, freshly treated plant seed, this backflow causes a mixing, polishing, and drying of the plant seed. The mixing distributes the seed treatment into an even coat by rubbing the individual seeds of the seed flow stream together. The mixing baffles are oriented to induce backflow and sideways lateral movement and may incorporate a passage to allow increase material flow rate.

A conveyor having a conveyance structure, 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.