European Journal of Agronomy 10 (1999) 57–65

Transfer and water-retention properties of seed-pelleting materials

P. Grellier a, L.M. Riviere b,*, P. Renault c
a ENITHP, 2 rue Le Nôtre, F49 045 Angers, France
b INRA Station d’Agronomie, Centre de Recherche d’Angers, 42 rue Georges Morel, BP 57, F49 071 Beaucouze, France
c INRA Unité de Science du Sol, Domaine Saint-Paul, Site AgroParc, 84914 Avignon, Cedex 9, France
Received 17 June 1997; accepted 10 September 1998

Abstract

Until now, the choice of materials for seed pelleting has been mostly empirical. We have analysed coating materials
(silicate powder A, clay B and hydrophobic clay C ) and their water-transfer properties. Seed-pelleting materials were
studied with conventional soil-analysis techniques. An original device for studying water transfer through a thin layer
of powder was designed to simulate the transfer of water from the soil to the seed, through the pelleting material.
Different parameters were studied: particle-size distribution, water-retention curve of materials, thickness of powder,
influence of concentration of adhesive in pelleting, etc. The sintered glass on which the powders were placed in the
device constituted a limiting factor. The major component, a silicate powder (A), consisting of large particles, is
responsible for the general structure of the pelleting. Introduction of clay (B) gave intermediate properties between
A and C to water-transfer capacity. Hydrophobic clay (C ) can be used to control the incoming flow. The particle-
size distribution and wettability of materials have a direct impact on the transfer capacity of the powder. High
adhesive concentration had a negative effect on water transfer. These parameters and the formulation have a direct
impact on imbibition of pelleting materials. Objective tools, like the analytical methods used in this study, enable
water-transfer parameters and consequences on imbibition of coated seed to be understood. © 1999 Elsevier Science
B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Pelleting materials; Water flow measurement; Porosity; Wettability; Seed; Thickness; Adhesive

1. Introduction the development of the future plant (Hwang and

The pelleting of small seeds has been widespread
in agricultural practice since the 1960s, and has
enabled more precise sowing. Different processes
are used (Schiffers and Fraselle, 1982). Existing
techniques have enabled its first application to be
broadened. Different treatments are used to protect
* Corresponding author. Fax: +33 02 41 22 56 35;
e-mail: riviere@angers.inra.fr
Sung, 1991), and facilitate the germination process
with a chemical (Powel and Mathews, 1982), or
biological agent ( Fairley and Draycott, 1978;
Luchmeah and Cooke, 1985; Evans et al., 1993;
Stout et al., 1993). However, this new interface
may hinder the imbibition process. Several authors
(Perry, 1976; Tonkin, 1979; Maude and Bambridge,
1985) mention the influence of pelleting on seed
germination, especially when the soil has a high
moisture content. Sachs et al. (1981) concluded
that coating sweet pepper seeds (Capsicum annuum

1161-0301/99/$ – see front matter © 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
PII S 11 6 1 -0 3 0 1 ( 9 8 ) 0 0 0 50 - 1
58 P. Grellier et al. / European Journal of Agronomy 10 (1999) 57–65
L.) with clay acted as a barrier to oxygen transfer
and to the opening of the radicule.
Pelleting modifies the germination of seeds,
according to their thickness and the nature of
these components. Pelleting thickness, like tegu-
ment thickness, acts directly on the oxygen made
available to the embryo. Thus, it may be preferable
that the pelleting is as thin as possible and that it
does not absorb too much water ( Tonkin, 1979).
The nature of the components is important for
water transfer within the pelleting material. For a
given thickness, the structure influences the germi-
nation. Durrant and Loads (1986) showed that
the heavy clay pelleting, used for sugarbeet seeds
in England until 1984, delayed and reduced the
germination in humid soil. A lighter and more
porous structure gave 5–10% more plants, com-
pared to clay pelleting, in humid conditions.
Direct application of a supplementary granular
layer of active charcoal (Sharples, 1981) around
the lettuce seed (Lactuca sativa L.) gave more
rapid, complete and uniform seedling emergence
than coatings made from standard materials. A
more porous structure seemed to allow a better
distribution of oxygen. Active charcoal absorbed
the endogenous growth inhibitors secreted by the
seed.
Most studies on soil-water flow have been car-
ried out under saturated conditions (Prost, 1984;
Tamari et al., 1993) and on a centimetre or metre
scale. Some of them dealt with gaseous exchange
(Reyzabal and Bazan, 1992). The in-situ water-
transfer properties of coated seeds are difficult to
study since the seeds only measure a few mil-
limetres, and the flow is low.
We studied pelleted materials using standard soil
analysis techniques of a specific pelleting, designed
to represent the components of a commercial
pelleting. Mixes were made to observe influences
on structure and water transfer. Our first aim was
to completely characterize the structure of materi-
als. To take this characterization further, we
designed a device whose physical structure imitated
real conditions (from gaseous phase flow to satu-
rated flow), enabling the parameters of water
transfer through pelleted seed to be analysed.
The pelleting materials used for this study were
not specific to the seed coating. Nevertheless, we
found nothing in the literature related to their
water-transfer properties.
2. Materials and methods
For industrial reasons, it is not possible to give
the exact nature of the pelleting. The materials
used in the different experiments were (1) silicate
powder A, (2) clay B, (3) clay C with a special
treatment, and (4) adhesive agent D. Clay C
received a hydrophobic treatment. Different com-
positions of the pelleting were produced by mass:
AB (A 94.5% and B 5.5%); ABB (A 85%, B 15%);
ABC (A 85%, B 5% and C 10%) and ABCD (A
85%, B 5%, C 10% and D). The purpose of the
experiment was to describe the effects of elements
with different properties on the pelleting. The
coating process used the pelleting technique with
the adhesive agent D (Schiffers and Fraselle, 1988).
The particle-size distributions of the different
materials were studied by means of a particle
counter (Coulter Multisizer, Miami, FL).
The water retention curve was obtained using
the classical sand-box method (Stakman et al.,
1969) for water potentials higher than −10 kPa,
and using Richards’ apparatus (Richards, 1947)
for water potentials between −50 kPa and
−1.6 MPa.
A novel device was designed to study the influ-
ence of the pelleting material on water transfer
under steady-state conditions. Two closed cham-
bers that simulated the soil and seed were separated
by the pelleting material ( Fig. 1). Communication
was established between the chambers through
sintered glass (porosity: 40–100 mm in diameter;
thickness: 4 mm; diameter: 36 mm). The upper
chamber represented the soil-water potential, Y ,
1
and the lower chamber represented the seed-water
potential of the seeds. A saturated CaCl , 6H O
2 2
solution was used to set this lower potential, Y
2
(relative humidity: 33%). These conditions cor-
responded to the best seed-storage conditions
commonly used (Ashton, 1992; Grabe, 1992).
Preliminary tests were carried out in order to
detect a limiting sorption ability of the saturated
salt solution. The sorption capacity of the satu-
rated salt solution was at least twice the maximum
total outflow observed.
 P. Grellier et al. / European Journal of Agronomy 10 (1999) 57–65 59

two chambers led to a transfer of water from the

soil to the saturated salt solution. The acquisition
of water by the solution in the lower chamber was
recorded by a balance linked to a computer. The
mass of water acquired by the air-saturated solu-
tion as a function of time was transformed into
flow. The chambers were sealed with a special
water-tight silicon glue. The quantity of water
transferred was not sufficient to modify the water
potential of the studied soil. During the time of
the experiment, the steady-state regime may be
considered to be effective.
Fig. 1. Experimental design for the measurement of hydraulic
To obtain the desired water potential, the water
conductivity of pelleting materials with a large thickness. Design
of the flow measurement device: in the one-dimensional model, needed was calculated from the soil-water retention
the sintered glass was used as a stand to support the powdered curve y(h) ( Fig. 2). After air-drying, the soil was
pelleting material. The water potential of the soil, y , was set
1
sieved using a 2-mm sieve and dried in an oven
from the water-retention curve, and y was set with a saturated for 48 h at 105°C. This calculated quantity of
2
salt solution and corresponded to the conditions of seed storage. water was added and mixed uniformly with soil.
The deposit was formed slowly so as not to alter
The pelleting material was placed on to the the uniformity of the powder level and so as to
sintered glass. It was slightly compacted and had yield a constant thickness.
a thickness of 4–20 mm (±0.2 mm; SEM; n=5). In order to study the influence of adhesive
The sintered glass had a unimodal distribution concentration on water transfer, blocks of pelleting
that led to a steep decrease in moisture content materials with different concentrations of adhesive
with the drainage of the porosity for a water were prepared under the same conditions as the
potential below −10 kPa ( Fig. 2). industrial process.
The difference in water potentials between the All elements between the two chambers, like
materials, sintered glass plate and the media above
the saturated solution, constitute resistance to
water transfer, as shown in Fig. 3.
The flow value enabled us to calculate the resis-
tance, using the equation:
dy
J = ,
w R
total
where J represents the flow through the sintered
w
glass (m3 s−1 m−2 or m s−1), and dY, the water-
potential differences between the two chambers
(Pa or N m−2), so resistance can be expressed in
N m−4 s−1.
R =R +R +R ,
total materials filter media
where R =total resistance to transfers;
total
R =resistance of the studied materials
materials
studied; R =resistance of the sintered glass
Fig. 2. Water-retention curves of sintered glass and pelleting filter
filter; and R =resistance of the medium above
materials. The curves were obtained from desiccation. The media
water potential was applied to the materials and moisture the saturated solution.
content measured. The quantity R +R is given by the resis-
filter media
60 P. Grellier et al. / European Journal of Agronomy 10 (1999) 57–65

Fig. 4. Particle size distribution of the silicate powder A and

the clay B.

Fig. 2 shows the water-retention curves of mate-

rials A and B, and different mixtures, along with
the water-retention curve of sintered glass. As clay
C was hydrophobic, it was unsuitable for the
method used, which required water imbibition.
Fig. 3. Scheme of resistances opposed to water flow. In the
The silicate powder A was saturated for potentials
water transfer measurement device, W =soil water potential,
1
W =seed water potential, and R=associated resistance. over −10 kPa and released water from −10 to
2
−100 kPa. The application of Jurin’s law (Bourrie
and Pedro, 1979), for a cylindrical, non-deform-
tance of the system alone (soil–sintered glass–satu- able wettable material gives a porosity ranging
rated salt solution). from 3 to 30 mm in diameter. Clay B had a high
R is calculated from the flow value of the water content at saturation, which decreased
total slowly as the suction pressure increased.
powders:
Mixture ABB gave an intermediate water-reten-
dy tion curve. Addition of clay B to the silicate A
R = .
total J increased the microporosity at a low water
w
potential.
The ABCD mixture, which also contained
3. Results hydrophobic clay C, had a low moisture content
at saturation, which decreased slowly with high
3.1. Characteristics of pelleting materials suction pressure.

The different pelleting materials presented a
unimodal distribution (Fig. 4). The silicate powder
A was composed of various particles a few tens of
micrometres and above, whereas clay B had a
smaller range of a few micrometres.
3.2. Water flow through the pelleting materials
The curves of water flow as a function of water
potential in the soil are shown in Fig. 5. The results
were obtained after a steady-state regime had been
 P. Grellier et al. / European Journal of Agronomy 10 (1999) 57–65 61

Fig. 5. Water flow after the steady state obtained through the sintered glass and pelleting material. A (silicate powder), B (clay), C
(clay-treated ), AB (mixed powder 94.5%, B/5.5%), ABC (mixed powder A/85%, B/5% and C/10%) and ABCD (mixed powder
ABC+adhesive coming from the pelleting).

established. They ranged from a few hours (silicate
powder A, clay B) to 1 day (mixture ABC ).
3.2.1. Flow through basic materials
The water flow through silicate powder (A)
increased dramatically until a threshold value of
around −50 kPa was reached (Fig. 5). The flow
observed for clay B showed a progressive increase
in transfer conductivity from −1000 kPa and was
stabilized at around −50 kPa. A clay shrinkage,
which broke up the continuity of the soil–powder
system, relative to material like silicate powder A,
was observed. This explains the decrease in flow
of B from −30 kPa.
The water flow for clay C was constant, irrespec-
tive of the soil-water potential applied. Only clay
C represented a barrier to water transfer when
large differences in water potential existed.
3.2.2. Flow through mixed powder
In the mixed powder AB, the introduction of B
(5.5% of mass) contributed to a significant increase
in flow ( Fig. 5) as observed at a soil-water poten-
tial above −70 kPa. In contrast, the addition of
C led to a large shift in the water-flow curve
(Fig. 5). For ABC, a steady-state regime was
observed after only 30 h for a thickness of 16 mm
and a soil-water potential of −10 kPa. The intro-
duction of C delayed the establishment of a steady-
state regime.
The final mixed powder ABCD (ABC+
adhesive) had a similar threshold but had a smaller
shift than the silicate powder A. The mixture
showed a relative decrease in flow at a high
potential (−10 kPa), due to shrinkage.
3.3. Other flow parameters
3.3.1. Influence on thickness
An increase in thickness of materials led to a
decrease in water transfer ( Fig. 6). This influence
was only observed under extreme conditions, i.e.
at a low soil-water content (15% water by weight;
water potential Y =−1.5 MPa) and high poten-
soil
tial differences (water content 40%;
Y =−4.2 kPa).
soil
62 P. Grellier et al. / European Journal of Agronomy 10 (1999) 57–65

predominant, irrespective of the nature of the

Fig. 6. Influence of thickness on water transfer. Conditions: soil
(M.C. 15%—potential −1350 kPa); materials in powder (vari-
able thickness from 4 to 16 mm) on the sintered glass (thickness
4 mm); saturated solution CaCl , 6H O (RH 33%, −152 MPa).
2 2
The experimental flow (Fig. 5) is a function of the thickness of
the materials. The curve shows the evolution of the flow with
the powder thickness for a soil moisture content of 15%.
Fig. 6 and Table 1 illustrate the influence of
material thickness on the water flow through
different materials and mixed powders. At low soil
humidities (water content 15 and 20%), the water
flow at equilibrium as a function of material
thickness was practically identical. At this low
water potential, the vapour flow was probably
materials.
At high humidities, near saturation, the slopes
decreased in absolute values. The presence of
hydrophobic materials, such as the treated clay C,
reduced this decrease. The difference in slopes
between ABCD (from pelleted seeds) and the
powder from ABC seems to originate from the
more rigid structure of the powder ABCD due to
the presence of adhesive component D. Capillary
forces are more efficient with small elements
(ABC ) than those having a coarse structure
(ABCD).
Fig. 7 shows the material resistance to water
transfer in a steady-state regime under trial condi-
tions. The decrease is rapid for clay B. The shrink-
age due to drying clay breaks the soil–clay B
contact, which leads to an increase in resistance,
beginning from −30 kPa. The drop in resistance
of material A is also rapid. When B is added to
A, even in small quantities, as in the AB mixture
(A: 94% and B: 6% mass), this decrease is reduced.
The constant resistance of the treated clay C
revealed that transfer throughout the whole range
of water was through the vapour phase transfer,
because of hydrophobicity.
3.3.2. Influence of adhesive concentration
By varying the quantities of adhesive used in
the pelleting materials, it was possible to investi-

Table 1
Influence of the thickness on the water transfer

Materials Soil water content Moisture potential Slope Correlation Number of

(%g g−1) (−kPa) (ns−1) coefficient points

ABC 15 1035.1 −228 0.989 4 Fig. 6

ABCD from pelleted seeds 15 1035.1 −221 0.979 4
A 20 205.8 −223 0.970 4
C 20 205.8 −214 0.986 4
AC 20 205.8 −228 0.989 4
ABC 20 205.8 −200 0.992 5
ABCD from pelleted seeds 20 205.8 −236 0.989 5
A 40 4.7 −22 0.946 3
C 40 4.7 −78 0.930 3
AC 40 4.7 −78 0.930 3
ABC 40 4.7 −100 0.999 4
ABCD from pelleted seeds 40 4.7 −230 0.991 4

Conditions: saturated salt solution CaCl , 6H O (RH 33% −152 MPa); powdered materials in powder (thickness ranging from 4 to
2 2
16 mm) on the sintered glass (4 mm).
 P. Grellier et al. / European Journal of Agronomy 10 (1999) 57–65
Fig. 7. Pelleting material resistances (saturated salt solution:
CaCl ,6H O, −152 MPa).
2 2
gate the influence of the adhesive on water transfer
and the characterization of its imbibition capacity.
The concentration of adhesive in the blocks ranged
from 0 to 5% (the normal pelleting concentration
is 2.5%). The water transfer of the mixed powder
ABC with the adhesive in different concentrations
was compared with pelleting material from the
industrial process used to make pelleted seeds
(Fig. 8).
From a soil-water potential starting at
Fig. 8. Influence of adhesive on water flow. The concentration
of synthetic adhesive D is given as a percentage relative to water
before the coating process. The flow is similar for ABC D 0.0,
1.0 and 2.5%. The flow decreased for ABC D 5%.
63
Fig. 9. Final moisture content of materials after increasing imbi-
bition time. Soil moisture content: 35% −15.8 kPa, materials
mass 10 g, thickness 0.8 cm.
−200 kPa (water content 20%), the water flow of
blocks ABCD (in the presence of adhesive), was
always slightly higher than with the mixed powder
ABC. At a higher soil potential (−15 kPa), the
water transfer varied with the concentration of
adhesive. Thus, the water flow was practically
identical in blocks ABCD with 1 and 2.5% adhesive
and slightly lower than the powder ABC without
adhesive. In contrast, the presence of high quanti-
ties of adhesive (D concentration 5%) decreased
the amount of water transfer.
These observations were confirmed by the imbi-
bition capacity of materials as a function of time
in identical conditions ( Fig. 9). At a soil-water
potential of −15 kPa, the blocks ABCD with an
adhesive concentration of 1 and 2.5% had a final
mean water content of about 15% compared with
less than 5% for the blocks containing 5% adhesive.
Under the same imbibition conditions, the final
water content of the powder ABC was around
20%.
4. Discussion
Few studies have dealt directly with pelleting
materials and their water-transfer properties.
Therefore, the present comments will only deal
with complementary information obtained from
the different analytical tools used, in order to
64 P. Grellier et al. / European Journal of Agronomy 10 (1999) 57–65
understand the parameters and consequences on
the pelleting structure and properties.
The majority of materials presented a similar
sigmoid curve between flow and soil-water poten-
tial (Fig. 5). At high water potential, flow through
the various materials approached that of the
system alone. As the sorption capacity of the
saturated salt solution increased, the sintered glass
restricted water transfer. A clear change in the
properties of water transfer was observed once a
threshold value was reached. The transfer proper-
ties of materials increased rapidly as a function of
potential.
These observations are related to the wettability
of materials and the porosity induced by the
powder. The comparison with the water-retention
curve (Fig. 3) shows that for the wettable material
(A, B and A+B combined ), pore filling corres-
ponded to the increase in conductivity. Silicate
powder A is a typical example of this behaviour
(Fig. 10). If the material is hydrophilic, the pore
distribution of powder has a direct impact on the
flow. Clay B was characterized by small particles,
which resulted in a low porosity. The filling of
pores by capillarity was easier since they were
smaller. Silicate powder A, composed of large
particles and having a coarse narrow porosity,
became highly conductive as soon as water connec-
tivity was performed. The hydrophobic nature of
the treated clay C prevents the material from being
imbibed and limited the water transfer in the
liquid phase.
Fig. 10. Comparison of the water-retention curve of porosity
and experimental flow measured for silicate powder A.
At low soil humidity, the flow and resistance
results indicated that water was transferred in the
gaseous phase. With the increase in water potential
difference, and when the material was not purely
hydrophobic, the filling of the pore network ena-
bled a continuity of water film and an increase in
water flow. The material presented no further
obstacle to transfers, and its hydraulic resistance
decreased to near zero. The system consisted solely
of the sintered glass and the sorption capacity of
the saturated solution, which then became the
factors that limited water transfer.
The variations in transfer rate may be explained
by the intrinsic properties of the adhesive or the
induced structure. The adhesive facilitated the
water transfer (ABCD with 1 and 2.5% of D),
for a soil-water potential of −200 kPa (Fig. 6).
The adhesive was apparently not hydrophobic.
However, we observed a decrease in flow with
higher concentrations (5% of D). Thus, it is reason-
able to assume that the induced structure may
alter the water flow inside the blocks. In the case
of the mixed powder ABC, which was non-wetta-
ble, the local deformation of the network with
capillary forces during imbibition enabled a higher
capacity transfer than in the presence of adhesive.
This was more noticeable at stronger water poten-
tial differences with an increase in adhesive concen-
tration. In contrast, too much adhesive filled the
network porosity and hindered the establishment
of a continuous film by capillary forces and thus
affected the water-transfer capacity.
5. Conclusion
Particular properties of materials used in this
study represented typical components of common
pelleting. The different intrinsic properties of the
materials (particle size, shape and wettability) used
in this special pelleting made it possible to create
special pelleting suitable for a wide range of
conditions.
The general structure of the pelleting is due to
the large particles that form its major component,
silicate powder, which forms the rigid structure of
the network. In fact, we observed that the curve
of water-transfer capacity as a function of potential
 P. Grellier et al. / European Journal of Agronomy 10 (1999) 57–65
follows its water retention curve ( Fig. 10) fairly
well.
The introduction of smaller elements with clay
enables water to fill the pores better at a low water
potential, and facilitates the establishment of a
continuous liquid film with the capillary forces
from the soil to the seed.
In humid conditions, the addition of hydro-
phobic materials will delay the steady-state flow
and avoid poor aeration because of water-
saturated pores.
The adhesive stuck the various elements of the
pelleting together, thereby preventing network
deformation and maintaining the general structure.
A better knowledge of the pelleting materials
properties (particle size distribution and wettabil-
ity) is necessary in order to understand the pelleting
structure (porosity, pore distribution and final
wettability). This structure and these properties
may be modified by the rolling process (formula-
tion, operating time, type and concentration of
adhesive). All these parameters have a direct
impact, as suggested in this paper, on the imbibi-
tion of pelleting materials and provide different
tools for modifying the coated seed and should
help in the choice of materials and formulation of
the pelleting. These preliminary results enable us
to apply a general strategy for the study of pelleting
materials. It is possible to use a formal model to
predict water flow under various conditions
(Grellier et al., to be published). The final purpose
is to propose objective tools to adapt them to
climatical or pedological conditions in order to
optimize imbibition and germination processes.
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the French Ministry
of Agriculture and the Pays de la Loire Region.
We thank A. Feutry, from Biocem for his help.
This study was carried out at the ‘Laboratoire de
Science du Sol et des Substrats’ de l’Ecole
Nationale d’Ingénieurs des Techniques de
l’Horticulture et du Paysage ( ENITHP) at Angers
and INRA (Avignon, France). We also thank A.
Bruant (INRA) and J. Caron ( Université Laval,
Quebec) for reviewing this article.
65
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