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Seed Disinfection Protocol

​Purpose: To remove surface contaminants and disinfect agricultural seeds.

Method:  Soaking or submerge in a liquid solution.

Required Materials

  • Clean water or Seed Clean™ Solution (A).

  • Seed Sanityz™ Solution (B) (main disinfectant).

  • Properly sized mesh bags for holding seed.

  • Container for seed soaking.

  • Stirring implement or shaker /Disinfection machine (preferred).

  • Spinning or washing machine to remove extra moisture or water.

  • Seed dryer machine to dry seed.

 

This SOP includes one step or two step processes as given below. 

SOP 1. One step seed disinfection process

  1. Disinfection and Rinsing Process

    • Transfer seeds into Seed Sanityz™ Solution (B) in a disinfection container or disinfection machine or add Seed Sanityz™ solution (B) to the soaking container or disinfection machine having the raw seed or precleaned seed.

    • Ensure seeds are fully submerged or soaked.

    • Soak or rotate for 1 hour for effective disinfection.

    • Gentle stirring or rotating during soaking can improve uniform contact with disinfectant. If using disinfection machine, set RPM at between 25 to 45.

    • Drain the waste solution as per local regulations.

    • After disinfection, rinse seeds thoroughly with clean water for 5-10 minutes to remove residual disinfectant.

  2. Post-treatment Spin and Dry Process

    • Drain and spin the wet seed to remove excess water or moisture.

    • Dry seeds under appropriate temperature and warm air conditions (not to exceed 85-degree F) to original or intended seed moisture content.

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SOP 2. Two-step seed disinfection process 

Pre-Cleaning and Rinsing Process

    • Place raw seeds (nontreated) in a mesh bag or container or disinfection machine.

    • Rinse seeds with clean water or preferably Seed Clean™ Solution (A) for 15-30 minutes.

    • Stir or rotate gently to remove surface dust, dirt, or loose microbial contaminants.

    • If using disinfection machine, set RPM at between 25 to 45 for uniform cleaning.

    • Drain the wastewater in the sewage as per local regulations.

    • Rinse the seed with clean water for 5 minutes before moving to disinfection.

  2. Disinfection and Rinsing Process

    • Transfer seeds into Seed Sanityz™ Solution (B) or add Seed Sanityz™ solution (B) to the soaking container or disinfection machine having the raw seed or precleaned seed.

    • Ensure seeds are fully submerged or soaked.

    • Soak or rotate for 1 hour for effective disinfection.

    • Gentle stirring or rotating during soaking can improve uniform contact with disinfectant. If using disinfection machine, set RPM at between 25 to 45.

    • Drain the waste solution as per local regulations.

    • After disinfection, rinse seeds thoroughly with clean water for 5-10 minutes to remove residual disinfectant.

  3. Post-treatment Spin and Dry Process

    • Drain and spin the wet seed to remove excess water or moisture.

    • Dry seeds under appropriate temperature and warm air conditions (not to exceed 85-degree F) to original or intended seed moisture content.

 

Notes / Recommendations

  • Always use freshly prepared Ready-to-use (RTU) solutions for consistent results.

  • Avoid prolonged soaking beyond the recommended time to prevent seed damage.

  • Ensure complete submersion of all seeds in cleaning, disinfection and rinsing steps.

  • This protocol works with both small-scale lab and larger seed lots in commercial setups.

  • Single step treatment with Seed Sanityz™ alone has also successfully disinfected vegetable seed against Tobamo viruses, however, two-step process (precleaning followed disinfection) produced better outcomes in our trials.

  • Conduct a small sample test run prior to disinfecting at large scale or the entire large seed lot.

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Test Run Recommended

Customers are strongly advised to conduct a small-scale seed sample disinfection trial prior to treating the entire seed lot. Treatment concentration and exposure time should be optimized based on trial results. Seed physical characteristics, germination, vigor, overall seed quality, dust or dirt, debri, and the level of pathogen load may influence treatment performance and outcomes, in addition to the operator’s qualifications, handling and treatment conditions. Conducting disinfection of a pretreated seed lot may also further drop germination, vigor, shelf-life and overall seed performance. Outcomes are better if seed treated as directed.​

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