Seed Processing

Afterwards, each fraction is polished individually to remove excessive pericarp (lignified structures) containing substances which inhibit germination, and to give the seed a more or less spherical shape.

Empty seeds and seeds with deficient germs are removed in a combination of winnower and gravity-separation tables since only perfectly polished seed with fully developed germs will guarantee high germination rates in the field especially when difficult environmental conditions prevail. The processing and selection is completed by an X-ray analysis, a routine analysis to furnish a specific impression about the seed and the germ of every individual seed lot.

More than 700 parameters have to be adjusted in this highly automated processing plant. They are registered in data files and help to optimize seed processing as a self-learning system. At the end of that process, only around 20 % of the seed furnished by the seed-producing farmer are left over. However, all of them contain fully developed germs, which is the most important condition for field emergence in spring. Finally, after the processing, all of the calibres produced are tested regarding their germination capacity and vigour, classified, and may undergo further preparation.

In general, seed processing is finished in February of the year after the harvest, so that the equipment is only operating about seven months per year.