Structure of pelleted KWS Sugar Beet Seed

Furthermore, it offers many possibilities to apply insecticides without phytotoxic effects.

The coating consists of four layers, each of them applied with a special procedure:
 

1st layer:

A thin layer with the fungicide TMTD (active ingredient Thiram) is applied with a film-coating technique. This active ingredient is a disinfectant: fungal seed-borne pathogens, e.g. Phoma betae and Alternaria alternata, are destroyed.

2nd layer:

After this, the seed is given a spherical shape in a complex pelleting process. This layer, strongly influencing shape and weight of the seed, is composed with a combination of solid and liquid pelleting mass components. Specific pelleting mass ingredients contain several substances which are helpful for germination and emergence, e.g. fertilizers. Moreover, this layer of pelleting mass provides for a physical separation of the germ and the disinfectants, which are applied with the 3rd layer, thus protecting the germ against phytotoxic effects. And finally, the wet, pelleted seed has to be dried from around 50 % down to 7 to 8 % of moisture content. This is done in a controlled, gentle way in fluidized bed driers.

3rd layer:

This layer, a suspension containing fungicides (mainly Tachigaren, active ingredient Hymexazol) and insecticides (active ingredients Chlothianidin, Imidacloprid, Thiamethoxan and others) is applied with another film-coating process to fight seed-borne diseases such as Aphanomyces cochlioides and Pythium ultmum and to confer protection from some soil and leaf pests .

4th layer:

The application of the final, 4th layer is done directly after having applied the previous layer. This pigment layer covers the film-coating to prevent erosion of the pesticides during sowing. Furthermore, this treatment helps to avoid the direct contact of the farmer with these active ingredients. And, of course, this pigmentation gives the pelleted seed its characteristic, brilliant orange colour of a KWS product. With a last, short drying process (to 7 or 8 % of humidity), the seed preparation is finished.