3.2. Effect of polymer coat on seed moisture kinetics
Significant differences were found in hydrophilic
polymer-coated and non-coated seeds with respect to seed
moisture kinetics under freely available water and saturated RH
conditions. When the seeds were brought in direct contact with
free water on the germination substratum, the film coated seeds
recorded 141% increase in weight within 24 h, whereas the gain
in weight of non-coated seeds was restricted to 103% (Fig. 2).
Pronounced enhancement in imbibition occurred in the initial phase (0 to 4 h), which could be attributed to both water holding
capability of polymer as well as water uptake by the dry seed
tissue.