Patent ID: 6023880
Filing Date: 2000-02-15
Classification: A01C,A01G,A01H

Abstract:
An apparatus for treating a seed to enhance the growth characteristics of the seed which comprises:(a) a pair of spaced apart electrodes as an anode and as a cathode having a gap between them wherein the seed is to be supported on or adjacent to the anode;(b) voltage generating means for simultaneously supplying a direct current (DC) voltage to the anode and the cathode using a power supply with an output voltage with an impressed alternating current AC ripple as the output voltage so as to produce organized, pulsed avalanches of electrons moving from the cathode towards and into a seed when placed on the anode for a period of time which enhances the growth characteristics of the seed; and(c) coil means with multiple turns mounted adjacent to the spaced apart electrodes which detects pulsed avalanches of electrons; and(d) recording means for recording the pulsed avalanches of electrons as detected by the coil means.