SEKISUI Specialty Chemicals’ Selvol polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) is a trusted, versatile product for high-quality seed coating formulations and other agricultural applications.
Seed Germination Challenges in Cold Climates
In many regions with colder climates, such as the U.S. Upper Midwest, the growing season for crops is much shorter than in more temperate regions. In such climates, morning frost is common well into May.
Germination of seeds during this time can cause them to perish due to late freezes. Autumn freezes as early as mid-August can compress the growing season into a tight window. It’s very important that seeds germinate at the optimum time so that they reach maturity during the short growing season.
Selvol PVOH’s characteristics change as its degree of hydrolysis and molecular weight change.
Selvol PVOH Seed Coating for Higher Crop Viability
Selvol PVOH used in seed coating formulations improves crop viability and yield. The coating delays germination until the soil reaches its ideal temperature and moisture content, then ruptures upon germination. This maximizes the chance that the seed survives to produce a mature plant.
Adjusting the Selvol seed coating’s hydrolysis level can protect a seed until the soil meets a specific moisture range. Thin coating can also serve as a binder or “sticker” for fertilizers, fungicides or other coating materials that improve crop yield.
Farmers harvest cotton in hopes of high yields (via Pexels).
Selvol PVOH Seed Coating for Varied Climates
Selvol PVOH is equally useful as a seed coating in hot, arid climates because the coating maintains its integrity until the moisture content is high enough to induce germination.
A great example of Selvol seed coatings in warmer climates is the cotton seed. Cotton seeds only germinate above 60 degrees Fahrenheit or 16 degrees Celsius. They require sufficient moisture to wet the root system but also need time to dry over a 4- to 15-day germination process. Customers use Selvol PVOH to coat cotton seeds, allowing flexibility on sowing timing. A Selvol seed coating also smoothes lint and prevents seed entanglement, reducing the need for mechanical delinting or acid delinting and increasing culled seeds.
Many different grades of Selvol PVOH are suitable as seed coatings or as part of a seed coating formulation. The most common grades are the partially hydrolyzed grades: Selvol 203, 205, 523 and 540. The customer typically uses a 4% to 10% Selvol solution, depending on the desired coating thickness and viscosity.
Read Selvol PVOH solution preparation guidelines.
Further Selvol Seed Coating Advantages
A variety of seeds benefit from Selvol seed coating, including barley, sunflower, corn, rape, cotton, flax, beet and tomato.
One study on the viability of corn seeds in the prairie provinces of Canada resulted in over 80% crop emergence for coated seeds compared to 0% emergence for uncoated seeds. Another study found PVOH to be a superior binder for a variety of organic matter compared to many other water-soluble polymers, such as PVP and high molecular weight PEG.
Selvol PVOH is generally available in resin form, ready for customers to solubilize into a solution. Selvol PVOH is also available in a ready-to-use form for customers with limited equipment. SEKISUI’s Houston Technology Center helps customers create innovative solutions for various processing equipment and worldwide agricultural environments.
A global map depicts agricultural land per capita (via Wikimedia Commons).
How Selvol Seed Coating Maximizes Viability and Yield
Selvol PVOH water-soluble seed coating formulations maximize crop viability and yield by multiple mechanisms:
- Selvol ensures seeds don’t germinate until the ideal temperature and moisture conditions occur.
- Serving as a binder for fertilizer, Selvol PVOH controls dosing.
- PVOH seed coating helps in mechanical planting operations due to the seeds’ slick, nonsticky surface.
- The product reduces the need for post-harvest processing.
Selvol PVOH is available in hundreds of hydrolysis, viscosity and copolymer combinations. Download the seed coating starter recipe to learn more about recommended grades and the coating process.
Contact SEKISUI Specialty Chemicals for Selvol PVOH
SEKISUI Specialty Chemicals is a specialty chemicals provider focused on innovative solutions. The company is committed to sustainability and environmental stewardship as well as premium-quality products.
Contact SEKISUI for more information about Selvol PVOH for seed coating applications, or request samples today.
Reach the SEKISUI tech team for expert counsel on the best Selvol PVOH grade for specific seed coating needs. Read the Selvol PVOH product brochure for in-depth information.
Map of the U.S. Upper Midwest via Pexels; featured image via Pexels
