A liquid bioplastic formulation for film coating of agronomic seeds. (November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Accinelli, Cesare; Abbas, Hamed K.; Little, Nathan S.; Kotowicz, Jeremy K.; Mencarelli, Mariangela; Shier, W. Thomas
• Is Part Of: Crop protection. Volume 89(2016)
• Page Start: 123
• Page End: 128
• Publication Date: 2016-11
• Subjects: Biodegradable plastic -- Seed treatment -- Maize -- Oilseed rape -- Pesticides -- Trichoderma; Plants, Protection of -- Periodicals; 632.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cropro.2016.07.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0261-2194

Abstract

Abstract: Interest in industrial and domestic applications of biodegradable plastics from renewable sources is increasing, but their use in agriculture is still limited (e.g., mulching films, plant pots, and plant clips). However, a sprayable liquid bioplastic formulation was recently evaluated for application of microbial biocontrol agents to agricultural and horticultural crops. In this study bioplastic formulation has been evaluated for use in film-coating seeds of two agronomic species, corn and canola. Bioplastic seed coating was achieved using procedures and equipment designed for commercial polymer film-coating of tablets. Germination of both species was unaffected by the thin bioplastic coating. Bioplastic coatings containing spores of the plant-growth promoting fungus, Trichoderma harzianum, significantly stimulated the growth of corn and canola seeds. In corn seedlings, shoot and root lengths were 29% and 44% longer, respectively, in seeds coated with T. harzianum -containing bioplastic than in uncoated seeds. Similarly, in canola seedlings shoot and root lengths were 19% and 20% longer, respectively, in seeds coated with T. harzianum -containing bioplastic than in uncoated seeds. In a paper-roll assay, including T. harzianum spores prevented reduced germination caused by a mixture of the insecticide imidacloprid and the fungicide metalaxyl-M in bioplastic seed coatings. The adhesive and plastic properties of bioplastic reduced dust-off from bioplastic-coated seeds by 96% in corn and 99% in canola compared to seeds coated with a commercial polymer. Highlights: Corn and canola seeds were film-coated with a liquid bioplastic formulation. Germination of both species was unaffected by the thin bioplastic coating. Bioplastic coatings on these seeds caused no reduction in seedling growth. The bioplastic seed coat was compatible with the fungus, Trichoderma harzianum . This formulation was effective in reducing dust release from pesticide-treated seeds.