Smart seed coating technology raises crop yields by up to 30 pc
New Delhi, June 18
ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research in Hyderabad developed and demonstrated a biopolymer‑based Smart Seed Coating Technology to improve seed quality, crop establishment and yields, an official statement said on Thursday.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, demonstrations conducted in Telangana recorded nearly 30 per cent yield improvements in groundnut and soybean when compared to conventional farmer practices.
The new technology strengthens resilience against biotic and abiotic stresses across a wide range of agricultural crops and improves farm productivity, the ministry said.
The patented coating uses biodegradable biopolymers to form a multifunctional protective layer around seeds. The coating acts as a carrier system for beneficial microorganisms, nutrients, micronutrients, crop protection agents, and plant growth-promoting compounds, delivering them directly at the seed-soil interface.
This protective microenvironment promotes rapid germination, vigorous seedling growth, enhanced root development, and improved tolerance to environmental stresses during the critical crop establishment phase.
Superior seed performance is critical as agriculture faces increasing challenges from climate change, erratic rainfall, drought, temperature extremes, soil degradation, emerging pests and diseases, and declining resource-use efficiency.
Strengthening seed performance during the early stages of crop growth offers one of the most cost-effective and scalable approaches to improving agricultural productivity.
Field demonstrations conducted under farmer-field conditions have shown substantial improvements in crop establishment, plant vigour, and productivity.
Similar seed enhancement approaches have demonstrated positive impacts across multiple crops under diverse agro-climatic conditions.
Multi-location AICRP-Seed trials across soybean, maize, groundnut, chickpea, cotton, mustard, and pigeon pea demonstrated consistent improvements in seedling vigour, crop establishment, and yield, with productivity gains ranging from 12 to 37 per cent over untreated controls.
The technology is particularly relevant for rainfed agriculture, which accounts for a major share of India's cultivated area and is highly vulnerable to climatic uncertainties.
The technology can be customised for cereals, millets, pulses, oilseeds, fibre crops, fodder crops, vegetables, spices, and horticultural crops, the statement noted.
ICAR-IIOR scientists emphasised that future agricultural growth will increasingly depend on technologies that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of every input used by farmers.
ICAR-IIOR is also promoting partnerships with public and private seed systems for large-scale dissemination and adoption.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good innovation but I'm skeptical about the scalability. Biopolymer coatings sound fancy but will they be cost-effective for a marginal farmer in Bihar? Also, we need to ensure these microorganisms and nutrients used in the coating don't harm soil biodiversity in the long run. Let's see the field data from more regions.
As someone from a farming family in Punjab, this is huge! We've been using traditional methods for decades and climate change is really hurting our yields. If this technology works for mustard and groundnut as mentioned, imagine what it can do for wheat and paddy! Kudos to ICAR scientists. जय किसान! 🙏
Interesting development. I work with agri-tech startups in Bangalore. The 12-37% yield range across multiple crops is impressive. However, I wonder how this coating will perform under different soil pH conditions and with varying irrigation practices. The partnership with private seed companies is key for real-world adoption.
This is great but my concern is that many farmers in Tamil Nadu still don't have access to quality seeds, let alone coated ones. The government should focus on distribution networks in rural areas. Also, will this increase seed prices? Small farmers can't afford another cost. Let's hope the ministry ensures it reaches the ground level. 🌾
Impressive research output from IIOR. The biopolymer aspect is environmentally sound compared to synthetic coatings. Curious if this technology can be adapted for organic farming systems, which are growing in India. Also, what's the shelf-life of these coated seeds? Farmers need practical storage solutions.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.