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Technologies » Priming

Priming is a technique by which the germination processes are started, without occurrence of actual sprouting. The seedlot is partially hydrated and kept under controlled conditions. After a period of time the seeds are dried back and is ready to be packed and sown. Priming can also be combined with other techniques as upgrading, pelleting, encrustring and filmcoating.

The beneficial effects of priming are various:

Faster and more uniform germination ( reliable onion priming)

Improved germination under a broader temperature range Tomato seed priming)

Breaking certain kinds of dormancy, which occur in different species. A good example is the Thermocure treatment specially developed by INCOTEC for lettuce that allows seed to germinate at much higher temperature (breaking thermo dormancy). On an average the critical temperature limit is raised with 10° Celsius. (Lettuce priming). See graph below.

Priming can also overcome the requirement some seed species have for light in order to germinate (photo dormancy)