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4. Stickers
Often in peat sticking agents are incorporated thus enhancing its uniformity of coverage on seed. The adhesives used in current agricultural practices are different polymers: polysaccharides (such as gum arabic or carboxymethylcellulose), polyalcohol derivatives, or caseinate salts. Important prerequisites are:
- nontoxic to seed or microorganisms,
- easily dispersible in water
- offering a better adhesion and survival to microorganisms on seed.
They have been for the most part for their ability to maintain the viability of rhizobia on the legume seed. However, little is known about the exact mechanisms responsible for the assurance of the enhanced survival by these polymers. The significant disadvantage is that, when applied with stickers, more peat is retained on the seed coat, resulting in a more extended time of contact between the bacteria and the toxic compounds of the coat.
