Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Electrons are generated and accelerated in a cathode and directed specifically at the seeds to be treated. The energy absorbed by the electrons determines the penetration depth into the seed. The penetration depth can be precisely controlled between 10 and 200 µm. The minimum dose of 12 kGy specified by the Federal Biological Research Institute to guarantee a sufficient effect against the pathogens is guaranteed.

The seed is externally unchanged. The electron treatment leaves no visible traces on the seed. Electron spin resonance (ESR or EPR), photoluminescence or thermoluminescence can be used to detect the treatment in the laboratory.

The germination capacity is not affected because contact between the electrons and the seedling is excluded. Tests have shown that field emergence is often slightly higher than with chemically treated seed. In practice, it has been observed that electron-treated seed emerges 1 to 3 days earlier.

Electron treatment has been extensively studied and tested for cereals, grain legumes, oilseeds and maize. According to initial test results, the process is also suitable for the treatment of various vegetable seeds and grasses. The different structure of the grain (e.g. thickness of the seed coat, presence of husks) is taken into account by the special measurement of the electron energy.

Electron-treated seed can be used for all sowing dates. Faster field emergence is a significant advantage for late sowing dates.

Electron treatment leads to the complete elimination of all microorganisms adhering to the seed. The positive effects of killing bacteria and viruses on the seedling are difficult to assess today due to a lack of studies. However, it is a fact that there is a gradual increase in bacterial and viral infections, which can also come via the seed (e.g. Pseudomonas, wheat streak mosaic virus). There are no chemical agents against these pathogens. Fortunately, diseases caused by bacteria or viruses are often only a latent danger in plant cultivation. However, it is good to know that preventive interruption of the chain of infection via the seed is already possible today with electron treatment.

To prevent damage to the seedling, electrons are deliberately not allowed to penetrate deeper. As a result, the pathogen that causes the seedling's blight is not reached. However, two protective mechanisms are used in seed production to prevent infestation with blight:

a) Barley blight is a seedling infection that occurs during flowering. An outbreak of the disease only occurs in the following generation. The use of chemically treated basic seed prevents infection in Z-seed production. The Z-seed that is subsequently sown is therefore free of blight spores. For this reason, it is not necessary for the electron treatment to be effective against blight.

b) If, in spite of the chemical protection, a fly blight occurs in the propagation stand of Z seed, this propagation area is excluded from use as seed during field certification.

In practical cultivation to date, no increased infestation with barley blight has been observed when using electron-treated seed.

Electron treatment of seed creates germ-free seed with high vitality. This means that the seed can withstand the potential infection pressure of soil-borne pathogens very well. In its comprehensive study report, the Federal Biological Research Center estimates: "No increased infestation with soil-borne pathogens was detected after electron treatment during the entire study period." This assessment is supported by extensive practical experience on over 1.2 million hectares of cereal land.

The option of additionally treating the seed with bacteria (E-VITA plus) provides the radicle with additional protection against possible infection by soil-borne pathogens. This also eliminates the need for chemical treatment against blackleg.

Basically no, because the amount and dose of energy used is far too low for an insecticidal effect. A significant increase in the energy dose would lead to damage to the germination capacity.

The Federal Biological Research Center estimates that "multiple successive treatments do not pose a risk and a build-up of pathogen populations is not to be expected." Adherence to crop rotation principles makes an effective contribution to reducing the pest population in the soil.

In the winters that were affected by upheaval due to overwintering, no difference in winter hardiness was found in direct comparison with the seed treatment method. Much more decisive were factors such as sowing date, variety and snow cover.

In all scientifically monitored trials, no significant difference in yield was found compared to the chemically treated variant. Even in the provocation trials with artificial infection by Fusarium and Septoria spores, there was no difference in yield between the treatment variants.

The Federal Biological Research Center for Agriculture and Forestry has extensively tested the process in numerous studies. The results are published in issue 399 of 2005. Among other things, it states: 'Over a period of 20 years, it was shown in approximately 500 field trials that electron treatment can be used as an alternative method to chemical dressing'. In addition, extensive trials have been carried out in recent years in the federal states of Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Saxony by the relevant state research institutes, which confirm the results of the Federal Biological Research Institute.

There are no requirements for the use of electronically treated seed. In practice, the absence of dressing dust when filling the seed drills has been perceived very positively. In addition, electron-treated seed can be sown in drinking water protection areas without any restrictions.

By avoiding the release of dressing dust into the air and the introduction of chemical agents into the soil, the process is environmentally and user-friendly. Seed treatment also poses no threat to the environment. In contrast, chemical seed dressings can have a considerable impact on the environment if not used properly.

Seed residues can be used as animal feed without any problems. Use as food grain is not yet permitted.

There are major differences in effectiveness between the chemical method of dressing and the physical method of electron treatment. The physical process completely removes (disinfects) adhering pathogens and thus has a preventive effect. This effect lasts well beyond the time of sowing. The chemical process, on the other hand, only starts when a fungal spore on or in the seed germinates. The longer the seeds are stored in the soil, the more the active ingredient adhering to the seed is diluted by the soil solution. Late infections are then no longer sufficiently controlled. The manufacturers consider it unlikely that the seed treatment will be effective for longer than four weeks after sowing.

The limitation of the storage life is less due to the treatment method and more due to the germination capacity. Depending on the quality of the harvest, electron-treated seed can be stored for months. Electron treatment improves the shelf life.

Infections with pathogens only occur in the field and during the vegetation period. If E-VITA seed has not been sown in the current year and is stored for the following year, reinfection is ruled out. However, general requirements for seed storage (clean, dry, free of rodents) should be observed.

The sowing rate does not need to be changed. However, when adjusting the seed drill, it should be noted that the flowability of the seed (especially with cereals) is higher than with chemically treated seed.

Pathogens are able to adapt their metabolism and reproduction cycle to chemical agents and develop resistance to them. This is an evolutionary process that ensures the survival of living organisms through adaptation. Nature has no resistance mechanisms to physical parameters. Consequently, the use of electron-treated seeds is an active and successful resistance management.

In an answer to a question from the German Bundestag on March 7, 2016, the German government stated the following: "Electron treatment is effective against seed-borne pathogens, but does not provide protection against insects."

(Source: printed matter 18/7607 of the German Bundestag).

The process has proven its practical suitability for cereals, grain legumes, maize and oilseeds. Its effectiveness has also been confirmed for forage seeds (grasses, small-grain legumes). However, some technical issues still need to be clarified here.

The combination with subsequent treatment with bacteria represents a major advance. Further details can be found in the presentation of the E-VITA-PLUS process