Methods and Uses for Improved Sowing of Seeds

Abstract

Methods and uses of controlling the flowability of a population of plant seeds and dust drift therefrom by placing individual seeds in contact with particles of a flowability enhancing agent that is made up of at least one species of wax that adheres more firmly to the sad plant seeds than a compound or composition that comprises a substance that is or includes a mineral earth component.

1 . A method of enhancing the flowability of plant seeds comprising contacting the plant seeds of a mass of plant seeds with dry electret particles composing a wax, wherein the electret particles have a volume mean diameter of up to 200 μm, whereby the flowability of the plant seeds is enhanced. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electret particles comprise carnauba wax or polyethylene wax. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the seeds are corn or soybean seeds. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electret particles have a volume mean diameter in the range of 10 μm to 200 μm. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the electret particles have a volume mean diameter in the range of 10 μm to 200 μm. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the elect e particles have a volume mean diameter in the range of 10 μm to 100 μm. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the electret particles have a volume mean diameter in the range of 10 μm to 100 μm. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electret particles have a volume mean diameter in the range of 10 μm to 40 μm. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the electret particles have a volume mean diameter in the range of 10 μm to 40 μm. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electretparticles have a volume mean diameter in the range of 10 μm to 30 μm. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the electret particles have a volume mean diameter in the range of 10 μm to 30 μm. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electret particles have a volume mean diameter of up to 30 μm. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the electret particles have a volume mean diameter of up to 30 μm. 
     
     
         14 . A method of decreasing the dust drift from plant seeds comprising contacting the plant seeds of a mass of plant seeds with dry electret particles comprising a wax, wherein the electret particles have a volume mean diameter of up to 200 μm, whereby the dust drift from the plant seeds is reduced. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the electret particles comprise carnauba wax or polyethylene wax. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the seeds are corn or soybean seeds, 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the electret particles have a volume mean diameter in the range of 10 μm to 200 μm. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the electret particles have a volume mean diameter in the range of 10 μm to 200 μm. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the electret particles have a volume mean diameter in the range of 10 μm to 100 μm, 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the electret particles have a volume mean diameter in the range of 10 μm to 100 μm. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the electret particles have a volume mean diameter in the range of 10 μm to 40 μm. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the electret particles have a volume mean diameter in the range of 10 μm to 40 μm. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the electret particles have a volume mean diameter in the range of 10 μm to 30 μm. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the electret particles have a volume mean diameter in the range of 10 μm to 30 μm. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the electret particles have a volume mean diameter of up to 30 μm. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the electret particles have a volume mean diameter of up to 30 μm.