Abstract: Process and device for treating seeds in order to combat harmful organisms. According to the invention, in an initial stage of the process, the seeds are separated and distributed evenly in a free-fall process, subjected in a vacuum to irradiation by low energy electron beams and then immediately treated with fungicides and/or microbial antagonists or metabolic products and spores thereof and/or synergists.

Abstract: Process and device for electron beam treatment of bulk material where the bulk material is fed into a continuous stream by means of compression stages (3) which can be evacuated. It is dispersed and directed into a dosed irradiation chamber (1), passing in this chamber through an irradiation field in a free-fall process, and discharged from the irradiation chamber through a compression stage system (4). The invention enables electron beam treatment of biological materials to be carried out to particularly good advantage, e.g. in combatting harmful organisms in seeds.

Abstract: A process for combating harmful organisms on seeds wherein said seeds are treated by irradiation with low-energy electrons in combination with application of microorganisms antagonistic to said harmful organisms.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for the disinfection of seeds, preferably those of grains, to prevent pathogenic organisms from being planted with the seeds, and to provide reliable disinfection without using toxic agents. The seed is irradiated by low-energy electrons with energy and dosage controlled so that the surface and regions close to the surface are exposed to the radiation with fungicidal effect. A beam of the low-energy electrons is provided by an electron gun aimed at a region within a seed-receiving chamber at which the seeds to be irradiated are caused to intercept the radiation repeatedly and on all sides. The chamber may be at atmospheric pressure or be evacuated, the latter condition requiring vacuum locks at seed inlet and outlet ports of the chamber.