Studies

Klondike is continuing our 20 year commitment to research, development, and testing to advance the possibilities of the KAPSOL™ Platform. Our body of research is always growing. 

PUBLISHED STUDIES

TOMATO STUDY #1

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Use of Gelatin Capsules as a Form of Seed Enhancement in Tomato 

Seed enhancements involve post-harvest modifications of seeds intended to improve germination and plant performance. This includes seed modifications that facilitates the delivery of other plant-benefiting components (e.g., nutrients or plant protectants). This study considers the use of tomato-seed encapsulation as a possible extension of seed coatings. Placing seeds within gelatin capsules offers potential benefits including space for greater volumes of additives, separation between protectant chemicals and seeds, diminished human exposure to agrochemicals, and improved uniformity for mechanical planters. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine to what degree seed encapsulation alters plant emergence, affects plant performance, and serves as a possible delivery-system for controlled-release fertilizers. The results suggest that seed encapsulation may delay initial plant emergence by one day, and between one and two days for fertilizer treatments. Gelatin capsules alone improved early root development, promoted plant growth, and increased fruit production; indicative of gelatin’s biostimulant properties. The addition of controlled-release fertilizers (especially Florikan) appeared to provide greater aboveground, belowground, and total plant mass, and higher fruit yield. The results of this study support the notion that seed encapsulation can improve tomato performance, and that other component(s) can be successfully delivered to provide additional plant benefits.

TOMATO STUDY #2

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Enhanced Plant Performance in Tomato through Seed Encapsulation with Controlled-Release Fertilizers

Tomatoes are among the most widely grown vegetable crop in the world, with more than 5-million hectares of land dedicated to its cultivation. To enhance production, many growers use conventional fertilizers which also contribute to non-point source pollution. While there are a variety of methods used to administer fertilizers to crops, some require expensive equipment, are labor intensive, or apply fertilizers that are not efficiently used by plants. This study considered an alternative approach that delivered controlled-released fertilizers to tomatoes using gelatin capsules; wherein both seed and fertilizer were placed together and planted as a single unit. The objectives were to determine if seed encapsulation altered seedling emergence and influenced growth, while also considering the possible use of encapsulation to deliver controlled-release fertilizers. In general, seed encapsulation had minimal impact on seedling emergence. Encapsulated plants were taller with greater biomass, than seed-only controls. While capsule treatments (without fertilizers) were taller than controls, the addition of fertilizers improve plant performance, with higher fertilizer content fostering greater plant growth. The results suggest that seed encapsulation may be an effective way to deliver fertilizers, and that the combination of capsules and controlled-release fertilizer could possibly lead to a reduction in the quantity of fertilizers necessary for tomato cultivation.

IN PROGRESS AND PENDING STUDIES

CONTROLLED RELEASE FERTILIZERS

STUDY 01

Investigate the advantages of seed encapsulation with conventional and/or controlled release fertilizers on crop plants.

BIOSTIMULANTS

STUDY 02

Consider the advantages of including plant biostimulants (e.g., gelatin) with encapsulated seeds on germination and plant growth.

PLANT HORMONES

STUDY 03

Evaluate the possibility of including plant hormones (e.g., gibberellic acid) and other plant growth regulators along with encapsulated seeds.

MOISTURE/REPULSIVE AGENTS

STUDY 04

Employ the capsules as a delivery platform for seeds with moisture attractive (e.g., hydrogel polymers) and repulsive agents.

BACTERIAL INOCULUM

STUDY 05

Develop a delivery platform for bacterial inoculum (e.g., rhizobium) that involves seed encapsulation.

MICRONUTRIENT ADDITIVES

STUDY 06

Investigate the role of encapsulating micronutrient additives and their effects on crop plant growth and performance.

BENEFICIAL FUNGI

STUDY 07

Consider the importance of encapsulating beneficial fungi (e.g., mycorrhiza) with seeds.

CHEMICAL ADDITIVES

STUDY 08

Evaluate the use of seed encapsulation with chemical additives as a means to minimize human contact with agrochemicals.

TIME-DELAY AGENTS

STUDY 09

Evaluate the possibility of encapsulating seeds with time-delay agents and agrochemicals to prolong the activity of that chemical.

SEEDS & PESTICIDES

STUDY 10

Employ encapsulation as a possible delivery mechanism for seeds and pesticides (e.g., nematicides) including controlled release pesticides.

PROLONGED SEED VIABILITY & STORAGE

STUDY 11

Explore the possibility of using seed encapsulation as a means to prolong seed viability and storability.

REDUCE CHEMICAL LOADS

STUDY 12

Consider the use of seed encapsulation with agrochemicals (pesticides and fertilizers) as a means to reduce chemical loads on farmlands, through precise application and optimal dosing.

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Office   580 Kennedy Road Akron, OH 44305
Email   [email protected]

PATENT INFORMATION

KAPSOL™ is the exclusive Intellectual Property of Klondike Agricultural Products and protected under patents #US8683742B1, #US10524427B2