Ultrasonically enhanced seed germination system

摘要

The invention consists of a sonication and imbedding process for the uptake of water and/or other beneficial substances into a seed. The seed to be treated is immersed in water or other liquids. The seed is exposed to sound energy at frequencies between 15 kHz and 30 kHz for periods between about 1 and 20 minutes. The ultrasonic energy utilizes an alternating ultrasonic transmission where the first part of the transmission is a saw tooth wave form lasting 50 milliseconds, followed by a square wave form lasting 50 milliseconds, in the preferred embodiment but other variations of the alternating sonic wave form can be employed. Alternatively a sinusoidal ultrasonic transmission may be employed to generate cavitation forces by the adiabatic collapse of micro bubbles in the liquid medium, particularly those bubbles that collapse at the surface of the seed. The ultrasonic cavitation forces impart micro-punctures within the seed that enable to faster absorption of water and other liquid nutrients. The ultrasonically treated seeds are then dried and stored or may be used soon after ultrasonic treatment. Ultrasonic treatment tends to speed the germination of the seed and the growth rate of the resultant plant, while maintaining the plant characteristics. Faster growing plants are more suitable for those environments where crop rotation and the growth of certain plant species are inhibited due to shorter growing seasons.