Alfalfa Seeds Research Articles

Sequential treatment of hydrogen peroxide, vacuum packaging, and dry heat for inactivating Salmonella Typhimurium on alfalfa seeds without detrimental effect on seeds viability

The aim of this study was to inactivate Salmonella Typhimurium loaded onto alfalfa seeds with sequential treatment of hydrogen peroxide, drying, vacuum packaging, and dry heat. Also, we verified the effect of vacuum packaging in dry heat treatment. Populations of Salmonella on alfalfa seeds after sequential treatment were not detected after 8 or 3 h of dry heat treatment at 70 or 73 °C. Salmonella populations including injured cells were also reduced to below the detection limit after 8 or 4 h of dry heat treatment. The germination rate of alfalfa seeds subjected to the harshest treatment was not significantly different (P > 0.05) from that of untreated seeds. Vacuum packaging is conducive to preserving the moisture content of alfalfa seed and improving the efficiency of dry heat treatment. This study suggests that sequential treatment is recommended and applicable for decontaminating alfalfa seeds for sprout production.

Fusion of a chitin-binding domain to an antibacterial peptide to enhance resistance to Fusarium solani in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum).

An antibacterial peptide-encoding gene from alfalfa seeds, alfAFP, was fused to the C-terminal part of chitin-binding domain (CBD) of the rice chitinase-encoding gene (CBD-alfAFP) and introduced to tobacco by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was used to confirm the integration of the recombinant CBD-alfAFP encoding gene in transgenic tobacco plants. A number of transgenic lines and a non-transgenic control plant were selected for further molecular analyses. The result of analyzing the transgenic plants by semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that the recombinant gene is expressed in transgenic plants and there is a difference between the transgenic plants in terms of the level of CBD-alfAFP expression. The total protein was extracted from a few selected transgenic plants and used to evaluate the antibacterial/antifungal of recombinant protein activity against some important plant and human pathogens. The results of this experiment showed that the total protein extract obtained from transgenic lines significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited the growth of various bacteria and fungi compared to the non-transgenic plants. Transgenic lines showed a significant (P < 0.01) difference considering their ability to inhibit bacterial and fungal pathogens growth. The recombinant CBD-alfAFP protein significantly (P < 0.01) increased the resistance of the transgenic plants against Fusarium solani. Transgenic lines showed no significant wilting symptoms and obvious wilting symptoms were not observed even 30 days post-inoculation (dpi) with Fusarium solani spores. These results suggest that transgenic tobacco plants are resistant to Fusarium solani wilt and fusion of CBD to the alfAFP antimicrobial peptide is an efficient approach to control fungal diseases.

Reduction of Salmonella and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli on alfalfa seeds and sprouts using an ozone generating system

Several outbreaks of illness have been associated with consumption of alfalfa sprouts contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and Salmonella. The ozone application was investigated as an intervention. Alfalfa seeds were inoculated with cocktails of 3 Salmonella strains, including serotypes Typhimurium, Agona and Saintpaul, and 3 strains of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) including serotypes O104:H4, O157:H7 and O121:H19 with a final load of 7.0 log CFU/ml. Then, the inoculated seeds, and the sprouts obtained from these seeds were separately subjected to aqueous ozone treatment containing (5 mg/L) ozone for varied times of exposure. The mean log reductions for Salmonella achieved on seeds after 10, 15, and 20 min of ozone exposure were 1.6 ± 0.5, 1.7 ± 0.3, 2.1 ± 0.5, respectively and 1.5 ± 0.4, 1.6 ± 0.4, 2.1 ± 0.5 for STEC, respectively. For sprouts obtained from the inoculated seed, the mean log reductions for Salmonella after 10, 15, and 20 min exposure times were 0.7 ± 0.2, 1.1 ± 0.4, 3.6 ± 0.2, respectively, whereas the mean log reductions for STEC were 0.7 ± 0.1, 1.2 ± 0.3 and 1.8 ± 0.2, respectively. At each contact time, there were no differences in log reductions between pathogens on seeds (P > 0.05), whereas on sprouts, the reductions obtained at 20 min were significantly greater (P < 0.05) for Salmonella than for STEC. On both seeds and sprouts, the exposure time had significant (P < 0.05) effects on log reductions of Salmonella and STEC. The weight, color properties and shelf life of ozonated sprouts were also tested. The ozonation did not have negative effects on germination (%), color and mass of sprouts in comparison with the controls. This study confirmed that it is possible to substantially reduce Salmonella and STEC by using a low ozone concentration (5 mg/L) and reduce food safety risk with less concern about the safety for processing workers of this treatment, this without affecting seed germination. This procedure may be a promising intervention to reduce Salmonella and STEC from alfalfa seeds and sprouts.

Sowing vertical-disc apparatus for seeding small-seed crops

The determining factor for increasing the yield of agricultural crops is the quality of sowing, which is ensured by the coordinated work of the system: the sowing apparatus - seed pipe - coulter. The task of the sowing device is to consistently give out a given number of seeds to the seed pipe by the area of supply for this method of sowing. Serial seeders do not provide the minimum sufficient seeding rate for small-seed crops, which leads to overspending of expensive, scarce seeds and reduced yields due to thickening of the crop. Based on the results of the theoretical studies and physical modeling, a vertical disc seeder was developed, which ensures the seeding of small-seed crops. The sowing apparatus represents a disc with a diameter of 93 mm along the outer perimeter, which contains cells in the form of a sector of a semicircle with a radius of 3 mm, a depth of 2 mm. Laboratory studies on alfalfa seeds showed that when the disc rotates, the seeds begin to fall out of the cell under their own weight, when the cell is at an angle of 35° with respect to the horizontal line. To carry out field research, a seeder was built on a frame, in which seven seed sections with individual bunkers were installed in two rows. Seeding width is 0.9 m. The drive of the sowing units is carried out by chain transfer from the support wheel through the gearbox. The sowing discs are connected to the shafts by individual couplings, which made it possible to sow with a different width of the rows. The field experiment was conducted on the sowing of the zoned alfalfa Omskaya-7 with inter-row spacing of 0,15 m, 0,60 m, and 0,90 m in triplicate repetition. According to the results of the field experiment, it was found that the sowing disc with cells with a radius of 3 mm and a depth of 2 mm of 8 pieces on the disc, and its rotation frequency of 1,53 rpm, when sowing with different rows, consistently provided for 1 meter of sowing on average 33 plants at field germination of 84,4 %.

Agronomic Valorization of Olive Mill Wastewaters: Effects on Medicago sativa Growth and Soil Characteristics

The effects of olive mill wastewater (OMW) on the main soil rhizospheric parameters are studied. In addition, the belongings of various OMWs quantities on the seeds germination and growth of a leguminous plant “alfalfa” (Medicago sativa) are investigated. The results shows that the irrigation of sandy soils by different OMW doses strongly influenced their granulometric, physicochemical, and microbiological characteristics. The study of the OMW phytotoxic potential shows that the raw OMW inhibited the alfalfa seeds germination. Whereas the OMW treated soil extracts reveales germination rates comparable to those of the control soil. Although a dose of 50 m3 ha−1 is most suitable for the soil characteristics evolution, the results shows that a dose of 75 m3 ha−1 is the most appropriate for the vegetative development and productivity of the “alfalfa” tested plant.

Effect of temperature on length of the lag period and its relationship with field performance of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) seeds

Effect of temperature on length of the lag period and its relationship with field performance of alfalfa (<i>Medicago sativa</i>) seeds

Water immobilization by glass microspheres affects biological activity

We recently reported that the water holding capacity of myofibrillar protein hydrogels could be increased upon addition of small amounts of microparticles, particularly glass microspheres. Glass microspheres were found to decrease the spin-spin relaxation time (T2) of water protons in the gels, which was interpreted as enhanced water binding by the glass. We were thus interested in determining whether the observed effects on water proton relaxation were a direct consequence of water-glass interactions. Here we show how glass microspheres reduce the mobility of pure water, reflected in large decreases in the T2 of water protons, decreases in the self-diffusion coefficient of water molecules, a lower water activity, and strengthening of O-H bonds. Even though glass is considered an inert material, glass microspheres were shown to inhibit the growth of human embryonic kidney cells, and stimulate or inhibit the growth of leukemia and monocytic lymphoma cells in vitro, depending on dose and time. The germination of alfalfa seeds and the growth of E.coli cells were also inhibited upon exposure to glass microspheres. This work indicates that the properties and behavior of materials, even ones considered inert, can be affected by their size. These observations suggest possible toxicological consequences of exposure to microparticles, but also open us possibilities to affect cellular/organism function via modulation of macromolecular hydration.

Population changes and growth modeling of Salmonella enterica during alfalfa seed germination and early sprout development

This study examined the effects of alfalfa seed germination on growth of Salmonella enterica. We investigated the population changes of S. enterica during early sprout development. We found that the population density of S. enterica, which was inoculated on alfalfa seeds was increased during sprout development under all experimental temperatures, whereas a significant reduction was observed when S. enterica was inoculated on fully germinated sprouts. To establish a model for predicting S. enterica growth during alfalfa sprout development, the kinetic growth data under isothermal conditions were collected and evaluated based on Baranyi model as a primary model for growth data. To elucidate the influence of temperature on S. enterica growth rates, three secondary models were compared and found that the Arrhenius-type model was more suitable than others. We believe that our model can be utilized to predict S. enterica behavior in alfalfa sprout and to conduct microbial risk assessments.

Environment-friendly mild heat and relative humidity treatment protects sprout seeds (radish, mung bean, mustard, and alfalfa) against various foodborne pathogens

The utility of a novel technology based on heat and relative humidity (RH) was examined; the method was used to treat experimentally contaminated radish, mung bean, mustard, and alfalfa seeds. Seeds were inoculated with high (ca. 7 log CFU/g) or low (ca. 3 log CFU/g) levels of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes, and treated at 65 °C/40% RH for 8, 15, or 22 h. The 15 h treatment reduced the numbers of E. coli O157:H7 and S. Typhimurium on all seeds to below the detection limit (10 CFU/g), whereas longer treatment (up to 22 h) was needed for L. monocytogenes. At 8 h, L. monocytogenes on mung bean was significantly less susceptible to combined treatment that L. monocytogenes on other seeds (P < 0.05). Overall, the 22 h treatment eliminated E. coli O157:H7 from radish and mustard seeds, and L. monocytogenes from mustard and alfalfa seeds; the treatment had no significant effect on the viability of radish, mung bean, or alfalfa seeds (P > 0.05). However, the mustard seed viability fell by about 9.8%. These findings indicate that the environmentally friendly technology is a wide spectrum method of decontaminating sprout seeds, with little concomitant reduction in seed quality.

DNA Replication during Seed Germination, Deterioration, and Its Relation to Vigor in Alfalfa and White Clover

Differences in seed vigor that arise due to seed aging, even in seeds with high levels of germination, can result in differences in field emergence. Current test methods to identify vigor differences in commercial seed lots with high standard germination take several days to complete. DNA replication, measured using flow cytometry as the ratio of 4C/2C DNA, during early germination of unaged and aged seeds of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.) was examined as a potential rapid and accurate method of assessing seed vigor. The relationship between 4C/2C DNA during germination of 10 commercial seed lots of both species and their field emergence was also determined. Most of the nuclei in dry mature seeds were arrested in the 2C DNA stage, with only a small proportion of 4C DNA nuclei. The proportion of 4C nuclei increased during germination of seeds, although the increase was lower and delayed in aged seeds with slower and lower germination. The 4C/2C ratio after 24‐h imbibition predicted the field emergence of all seed lots, but particularly of the lots with high standard germination (SG) (SG ≥ 75%, alfalfa, R2 = 0.815; SG ≥ 80%, white clover, R2 = 0.771; P &lt; 0.01). Thus, DNA replication marks an advancement of germination in alfalfa and white clover seed, and the 4C/2C DNA ratio after 24‐h imbibition has potential to predict the seed vigor of both species.

Plant-Microbe and Abiotic Factors Influencing Salmonella Survival and Growth on Alfalfa Sprouts and Swiss Chard Microgreens.

Microgreens, like sprouts, are relatively fast-growing products and are generally consumed raw. Moreover, as observed for sprouts, microbial contamination from preharvest sources may also be present in the production of microgreens. In this study, two Salmonella enterica serovars (Hartford and Cubana), applied at multiple inoculation levels, were evaluated for survival and growth on alfalfa sprouts and Swiss chard microgreens by using the most-probable-number (MPN) method. Various abiotic factors were also examined for their effects on Salmonella survival and growth on sprouts and microgreens. Community-level physiological profiles (CLPPs) of sprout/microgreen rhizospheres with different levels of S. enterica inoculation at different growth stages were characterized by use of Biolog EcoPlates. In the seed contamination group, the ability of S. enterica to grow on sprouting alfalfa seeds was affected by both seed storage time and inoculation level but not by serovar. However, the growth of S. enterica on Swiss chard microgreens was affected by serovar and inoculation level. Seed storage time had little effect on the average level of Salmonella populations in microgreens. In the irrigation water contamination group, the growth of Salmonella on both alfalfa sprouts and microgreens was largely affected by inoculation level. Surprisingly, the growth medium was found to play an important role in Salmonella survival and growth on microgreens. CLPP analysis showed significant changes in the microbial community metabolic diversity during sprouting for alfalfa sprouts, but few temporal changes were seen with microgreens. The data suggest that the change in rhizosphere bacterial functional diversity was dependent on the host but independent of Salmonella contamination.IMPORTANCE Sprouts and microgreens are considered "functional foods," i.e., foods containing health-promoting or disease-preventing properties in addition to normal nutritional values. However, the microbial risk associated with microgreens has not been well studied. This study evaluated Salmonella survival and growth on microgreens compared to those on sprouts, as well as other abiotic factors that could affect Salmonella survival and growth on microgreens. This work provides baseline data for risk assessment of microbial contamination of sprouts and microgreens. Understanding the risks of Salmonella contamination and its effects on rhizosphere microbial communities enables a better understanding of host-pathogen dynamics in sprouts and microgreens. The data also contribute to innovative preventive control strategies for Salmonella contamination of sprouts and microgreens.

ТЕХНОЛОГИЧЕСКИЕ ПРИЕМЫ ПОЛУЧЕНИЯ УСТОЙЧИВЫХ УРОЖАЕВ СЕМЯН ЛЮЦЕРНЫ СОРТА САРГА

The introduction of advanced technologies for alfalfa seeds cultivation of Sarga variety ensures a stable yield of seeds within 360-380 kilogramm per hectare. The main elements of this technology are the use of grass for seeds for only one year, careful preparation of the soil before sowing, respect for the depth of seeding, proper organization of bee pollination, protection of crops from diseases and pests, and the organization of seed processing.

Assessing Transportation Impacts to Alkali Bees (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) and Alfalfa Seed Production in Southeastern Washington State

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is proposing safety improvements to U.S. Highway 12 near the town of Touchet, Washington. The improvements include realignment to the north in order to accommodate a wider roadway. The proposed realignment route is within the Touchet-Lowden-Gardena alfalfa seed-growing district, an area critical to alfalfa seed production. The most effective and efficient pollinator for alfalfa is Nomia melanderi Cockerell, a native ground-dwelling bee that is raised in bee beds by area farmers. Relocation of the highway will bisect several bee beds and alfalfa fields. The alfalfa leafcutting bee, Megachile rotundata F., is also an important pollinator in the area. A study was conducted regarding potential impacts to these bees from the highway improvements. One of the objectives of the study was to determine pollinator flight heights over county roads. The “vehicular bee sweeper” was designed to capture insects at specific heights over the roadway and provided data regarding flight height. The majority of N. melanderi flew at heights below 2.1 meters when no other factors were considered, though most M. rotundata flew at or below 0.9 meters. Environmental conditions such as temperature and wind speed had an effect on flight behavior of both pollinators. Due to the low-flying nature of these solitary bees, vehicle strikes can be expected to cause mortality in bisected populations. WSDOT will be able to understand the impacts of the proposed highway to these important alfalfa pollinators and make recommendations to minimize the road’s effects.

Nonconventional intercrop ways of receiving alfalfa seeds

Various hybrids with a system of protection from weeds and diseases and mineral fertilizers are considered in the cultivation of sunflower in the zone of chernozems common. As a result of the conducted studies, it was found that the most effective was the cultivation of the Mugly hybrid with the EuroLife herbicide and the Picktor fungicide, as well as the introduction of HCS into the phase of 2-4 leaves from the calculation of 120 l / ha.

Chloroxyanion Residue on Seeds and Sprouts after Chlorine Dioxide Sanitation of Alfalfa Seed.

The effects of a 6-h chlorine dioxide sanitation of alfalfa seed (0, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg seed) on total coliform bacteria, seed germination, and the presence of chlorate and perchlorate residues in seed rinse, seed soak, and alfalfa sprouts was determined. Chlorate residues in 20,000 mg/L calcium hypochlorite, commonly used to disinfect seed, were quantified. Chlorine dioxide treatment reduced (P < 0.05) total coliforms on seeds with no effect (P > 0.05) on germination. Dose-dependent sodium chlorate residues were present in seed rinse (4.1 to 31.2 μg/g seed) and soak (0.7 to 8.3 μg/g seed) waters, whereas chlorate residues were absent (LOQ 5 ng/g) in sprouts, except for 2 of 5 replicates from the high chlorine dioxide treatment. Copious chlorate residues were present (168 to 1260 mg/L) in freshly prepared 20,000 mg/L calcium hypochlorite solution, and storage at room temperature increased chlorate residues significantly (P < 0.01).

Effects of cold plasma treatment on alfalfa seed growth under simulated drought stress

The effect of different cold plasma treatments on the germination and seedling growth of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) seeds under simulated drought stress conditions was investigated. Polyethyleneglycol-6000 (PEG 6000)with the mass fraction of 0% (purified water), 5%, 10%, and 15% were applied to simulate the drought environment. The alfalfa seeds were treated with 15 different power levels ranged between 0–280 W for 15 s. The germination potential, germination rate, germination index, seedling root length, seedling height, and vigor index were investigated. Results indicated significant differences between treated with proper power and untreated alfalfa seeds. With the increase of treatment power, these indexes mentioned above almost presented bimodal curves. Under the different mass fractions of PEG 6000, results showed that the lower power led to increased germination, and the seedlings presented good adaptability to different drought conditions. Meanwhile, higher power levels resulted in a decreased germination rate. Seeds treated with 40 W resulted in higher germination potential, germination rate, seedling height, root length, and vigor index. Vigor indexes of the treated seeds under different PEG 6000 stresses increased by 38.68%, 43.91%, 74.34%, and 39.20% respectively compared to CK0-0, CK5-0, CK10-0, and CK15-0 (the control sample under 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% PEG 6000). Therefore, 40 W was regarded as the best treatment in this research. Although the trend indexes of alfalfa seeds treated with the same power were statistically the same under different PEG 6000 stresses, the cold plasma treatment had a significant effect on the adaptability of alfalfa seeds in different drought environments. Thus, this kind of treatment is worth implementing to promote seed growth under drought situations.

Fate of various Salmonella enterica and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli cells attached to alfalfa, fenugreek, lettuce, and tomato seeds during germination

Contaminated vegetable seeds have been identified as a potential source of foodborne pathogens. This study was undertaken to observe the physiological behavior of various Salmonella enterica and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) cells attached to different types of vegetable seeds during germination. Surface-sanitized seeds (2 g) of alfalfa, fenugreek, lettuce, and tomato were exposed to four individual strains of Salmonella (Baildon, Cubana, Montevideo, and Stanley) or EHEC (three O157:H7 and one O104:H4 strain[s]) at 20 °C for 1 h. Vegetable seeds with attached bacterial cells were germinated on 1% water agar at 25 °C in the dark. Populations of Salmonella and EHEC on various tissues of sprouts/seedlings (seed coat, root, cotyledon, stem, etc.) were determined every other day over a 9-day germination period. The mean populations of Salmonella and EHEC on sprout/seedling tissues increased as the prolongation of germination time. Overall, 93.0% and 92.3% of collected tissue samples (n = 544) tested positive for Salmonella and EHEC, respectively. Seed coats had significantly higher (P < 0.05) bacterial counts (7.8 log CFU/g) compared to the root, cotyledon, and stem tissues (7.1–6.2 log CFU/g). On average, lettuce seedlings and alfalfa sprouts had significantly higher (P < 0.05) numbers of Salmonella and EHEC cells, followed by fenugreek sprouts, and tomato seedlings. The E. coli O104:H4 strain established the lowest (P < 0.05) cell population (5.2 log CFU/g) on sprout/seedling tissues among all EHEC strains used in the study. Among the three E. coli O157:H7 strains, F4546 (7.2 log CFU/g) and H1730 (7.0 log CFU/g) had significantly (P < 0.05) higher mean cell population than K4499 (6.8 log CFU/g). The mean population of S. Cubana (7.0 log CFU/g) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the populations of the other 3 Salmonella strains (6.5–6.6 log CFU/ g) used in this study. These data suggested that the growth and dissemination of Salmonella and EHEC cells on alfalfa, fenugreek, lettuce, and tomato sprouts/seedlings were influenced by the bacterial strains, type of sprouts/seedlings, and specific sprout/seedling tissues involved.

Pre-sowing Treatment of Alfalfa Seeds with Bio-Extracts for Early Spring Growth Performance

Pre-sowing Treatment of Alfalfa Seeds with Bio-Extracts for Early Spring Growth Performance

Isolation, taxonomic analysis, and phenotypic characterization of bacterial endophytes present in alfalfa (Medicago sativa) seeds

A growing body of evidence has reinforced the central role of microbiomes in the life of sound multicellular eukaryotes, thus more properly described as true holobionts. Though soil was considered a main source of plant microbiomes, seeds have been shown to be endophytically colonized by microorganisms thus representing natural carriers of a selected microbial inoculum to the young seedlings. In this work we have investigated the type of culturable endophytic bacteria that are carried within surface-sterilized alfalfa seeds. MALDI-TOF analysis revealed the presence of bacteria that belonged to 40 separate genera, distributed within four taxa (Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes). Nonsymbiotic members of the Rhizobiaceae family were also found. The evaluation of nine different in-vitro biochemical activities demonstrated isolates with complex combinations of traits that, upon a Principal-Component-Analysis, could be classified into four phenotypic groups. That isolates from nearly half of the genera identified had been able to colonize alfalfa plants grown under axenic conditions was remarkable. Further analyses should be addressed to investigating the colonization mechanisms of the alfalfa seeds, the evolutionary significance of the alfalfa-seed endophytes, and also how after germination the seed microbiome competes with spermospheric and rhizospheric soil bacteria to colonize newly emerging seedlings.

TECHNOLOGICAL BASES OF HARVESTING AND EQUIPMENT FOR LUCERNE SEEDS CLEANINGS

For development of technological bases of harvesting and equipment of cleaning of lucerne seeds it is necessary to take as a basis the agrotechnical requirements imposed to seeds during their harvesting, processing (rub threshing) and cleaning (sorting). lucerne seeds harvesting has to take place in the period of their wax ripeness. When maturing 70-80 percent of seeds in beans and seeds humidity of 60-65 percent plants are mowed in windrows and dried till humidity of 14-15 percent. The humidity of beans when processing (rub threshing) should not exceed 14 percent. The technology with stationary processing of a harvest (heap) providing the minimum losses of seeds is effective and most perspective. The authors offered the modernized technology of seeds cleaning with use the MB-2.5A thresher winnower, the modernized clover huller K-0.5M and the dielectric seed cleaning device. Seeds heap after processing by MB-2.5A consists of the following components: seeds – 35-44 percent, organic inclusions (leaves, stalks, seeds of foreign cultures) – 49-67 percent, mineral inclusions (dust, clay, small stones) – 1-2 percent. The modernized clover huller K-0.5M provides: completeness of rub threshing – 98.5 percent; purity of seeds – 85.7 percent; damage of seeds – 1.8 percent; losses of seeds – 1.4 percent; heap productivity – 0.5-0.6 t/h and losses reduction by 2-2.5 times. Dielectric apparatus separates lucerne seeds from quarantine inclusions with a triboelectric method. The efficiency of seeds cleaning for the first fraction was 53.1 percent, for the second one – 38.5 percent and for the third one – 11.9 percent. The cost of lucerne seeds cleaning decreases by 1.5 times due to the modernized technology.