Seed Production and Preparation
SEED PRODUCTION AND PREPARATION CHARACTERISTICS
High purity
To obtain the highest purity of Brachiaria spp. and Panicum spp., the seeds are submitted to cleaning during processing. The cleaning is carried out based on the results of analyzes obtained at the Matsuda Seed Analysis Laboratory (LASM). This laboratory is the first laboratory to be accredited by ISTA (International Seed Testing Association) and the first private laboratory to be accredited around the world. Using the abovementioned results, the impurities (soil, clod, straw, chocha seed, etc.) are removed from the seeds by equipment with photoelectric sensors. The benefits of this process are: reduced freight costs due to lighter weight of seeds, facilitated planting, reduced labor costs and a reduced risks of introducing undesirable weeds.
Chemical Scarification
Scarification is a chemical process where the glumes and palms (integument) of the seeds are eliminated. This chemical process helps to reduce the dormancy of some seeds. When the seed coat is eliminated, the absorption of water and oxygen by the seeds is facilitated, thereby speeding up the germination process. Another characteristic of this treatment is that the seeds of “half-money” are eliminated; that is, those seeds that have not completed their physiological maturation, but that are considered pure seeds. In a batch of B. brizantha seeds, about 10% of these seeds are eliminated in scarification, leaving only the seeds of high vigor and good germination.
In chemical scarification, insect eggs such as leafhoppers are eliminated. Some importing countries require that this treatment be done to avoid risks of transmission of the FMD virus.
Nematode Elimination
Treated with Fungicide, Insecticide and Polymer
The fungicide treatment protects the seeds against storage and soil fungi. The Pythium and Fusarium fungi strains negatively affect the germination of seeds. Seeds treated with fungicide tend to have higher germination rates per square meter. Matsuda uses Maxim XL, which has a forage record, to treat the seeds. Matsuda forage seeds can also be treated with an insecticide to protect germinated seeds and seedlings for up to 30 days against attacks by ants, termites, grasshoppers, crickets, coró, centipede, etc. The products Matsuda uses as insecticides are Cruiser or Standak, both of which are registered for forage.
In the treatment of seeds with fungicide and insecticide, a polymer from Incotec is used, an inert and non-toxic product that improves the quality of the treatment. The polymer adheres better to the products in the seeds, preventing them from contaminating the environment, even with intense rains. The polymer also reduces the risk of poisoning the worker who handles these seeds during planting.
Encased in special material
Matsuda is in a longstanding partnership with a Dutch company called Incotec who develops the material used to inlay Matsuda’s forage seeds. Incotec is currently the leader in the seed treatment and coating market. The benefits of the Incotec encasement are that it does not interfere with seed quality, improves plantability, facilitates the regulation of planters, improves germination efficiency and reduces the risk of losses. It is treated with polymers and fungicide (Maxim XL), with the additional option of also treating it with insecticide.
Increased performance in the field
Matsuda’s Gold Series Seeds (i.e. the high purity seeds, scarified seeds, seeds treated with polymers, seeds treated with fungicides, seeds treated with insecticides and inlaid seeds) have a higher yield, are used in a smaller amounts per hectare and produce more plants per square meter. Matsuda’s treatments and encasements decrease loss during germination. Inlaid seed from the Matsuda Gold Series shows a loss of only 4% in germination, while seeds of lesser cultural value shows a loss of at least 30%.
SEED PRODUCTION AND PREPARATION CHARACTERISTICS
High purity
To obtain the highest purity of Brachiaria spp. and Panicum spp., the seeds are submitted to cleaning during processing. The cleaning is carried out based on the results of analyzes obtained at the Matsuda Seed Analysis Laboratory (LASM). This laboratory is the first laboratory to be accredited by ISTA (International Seed Testing Association) and the first private laboratory to be accredited around the world. Using the abovementioned results, the impurities (soil, clod, straw, chocha seed, etc.) are removed from the seeds by equipment with photoelectric sensors. The benefits of this process are: reduced freight costs due to lighter weight of seeds, facilitated planting, reduced labor costs and a reduced risks of introducing undesirable weeds.
Chemical Scarification
Scarification is a chemical process where the glumes and palms (integument) of the seeds are eliminated. This chemical process helps to reduce the dormancy of some seeds. When the seed coat is eliminated, the absorption of water and oxygen by the seeds is facilitated, thereby speeding up the germination process. Another characteristic of this treatment is that the seeds of “half-money” are eliminated; that is, those seeds that have not completed their physiological maturation, but that are considered pure seeds. In a batch of B. brizantha seeds, about 10% of these seeds are eliminated in scarification, leaving only the seeds of high vigor and good germination.
In chemical scarification, insect eggs such as leafhoppers are eliminated. Some importing countries require that this treatment be done to avoid risks of transmission of the FMD virus.
Nematode Elimination
Treated with Fungicide, Insecticide and Polymer
The fungicide treatment protects the seeds against storage and soil fungi. The Pythium and Fusarium fungi strains negatively affect the germination of seeds. Seeds treated with fungicide tend to have higher germination rates per square meter. Matsuda uses Maxim XL, which has a forage record, to treat the seeds. Matsuda forage seeds can also be treated with an insecticide to protect germinated seeds and seedlings for up to 30 days against attacks by ants, termites, grasshoppers, crickets, coró, centipede, etc. The products Matsuda uses as insecticides are Cruiser or Standak, both of which are registered for forage.
In the treatment of seeds with fungicide and insecticide, a polymer from Incotec is used, an inert and non-toxic product that improves the quality of the treatment. The polymer adheres better to the products in the seeds, preventing them from contaminating the environment, even with intense rains. The polymer also reduces the risk of poisoning the worker who handles these seeds during planting.
Encased in special material
Matsuda is in a longstanding partnership with a Dutch company called Incotec who develops the material used to inlay Matsuda’s forage seeds. Incotec is currently the leader in the seed treatment and coating market. The benefits of the Incotec encasement are that it does not interfere with seed quality, improves plantability, facilitates the regulation of planters, improves germination efficiency and reduces the risk of losses. It is treated with polymers and fungicide (Maxim XL), with the additional option of also treating it with insecticide.
Increased performance in the field
Matsuda’s Gold Series Seeds (i.e. the high purity seeds, scarified seeds, seeds treated with polymers, seeds treated with fungicides, seeds treated with insecticides and inlaid seeds) have a higher yield, are used in a smaller amounts per hectare and produce more plants per square meter. Matsuda’s treatments and encasements decrease loss during germination. Inlaid seed from the Matsuda Gold Series shows a loss of only 4% in germination, while seeds of lesser cultural value shows a loss of at least 30%.