Skotar S. Separation methods and techniques for the improvement of the quality of corn seeds in technologies of their in pre-sowing preparation

Object: methods for separation and presowing treatment of the seed of hybrids and self-pollinated lines of maize for improving their quality. Aim: to substantiate and develop separation techniques and the methods on seed quality improvement in the technologies of its post-harvesting and presowing treatment. Methods: laboratory, field, statistical-mathematical, industrial. Novelty: some relationships between large seed size, its physico-mechanical properties, size and quality are firstly found. A value of the kernel's width and its specific weight indices is grounded. Forming of maize seed quality at the separation on different sieves is explained. Some peculiarities of presowing treatment of the seed of different sowing qualities are displayed. Peculiar features of chemical presowing treatment dependent on a large size of the seed are set and a possibility for reducing the treater's rate, given that a complex of substances is applied (treater, growth regulator, microelements), are established. The need to specify the extra-compensation amount at seed sowing rate of maize hybrids depending on the sowing fraction size is proved. Results: separation methods and techniques of chemical presowing treatment of maize seeds developed permit to create most high-qualitative sowing fractions, to reduce their damage degree, to cut the cost of presowing treatment. The introduction of new methods and techniques for seed presowing treatment has contributed to grain yield increase in maize hybrids by 0,2-1,4 t/ha and its production profitableness by 3,3-6,4%. Application stage: an instruction on the management of a technological process for preparation (post-harvesting treatment) and storage of agricultural crops' seeds at the seed plants of the experimental stations of the Institute for Grain Farming of UAAS has been elaborated. The results of the researches are included into scientific-practical recommendations for harvesting, treating and conserving maize seeds and the scientific grounds of AIP in the Steppe of Ukraine. The technology for in fractional separation of maize seeds has been recommended by UAAS for a wide use as a new development. Application area: seed production and seed investigation of maize.