Author: Amol Pawar
In the face of escalating climate challenges, soil degradation, and the pressing need for sustainable agriculture, innovative seed technologies have taken center stage. Among these, seed coatings and biological seed treatments are emerging as transformative tools that not only bolster seed germination and early plant development but also offer environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional agrochemical-intensive practices.
These treatments are increasingly seen as critical to improving crop performance in a changing climate. With rising concerns over the environmental and health impacts of synthetic chemicals, the shift towards sustainable, biologically-based seed solutions reflects both regulatory pressures and farmer demand for resilient farming practices.
The Evolution of Seed Treatments
Seed treatment technologies have evolved significantly over the past few decades. Originally developed to protect seeds from pathogens and pests, seed treatments have expanded into complex, multi-functional systems aimed at promoting overall plant health and sustainability.
- Pre-2000s: Basic seed treatments relied heavily on chemical fungicides and insecticides like captan and carbendazim to manage fungal pathogens and insect damage.
- Early 2000s: Introduction of advanced fungicidal seed treatments helped protect seeds from seed- and soil-borne pathogens, reducing early-stage crop losses.
- Mid-2000s: Polymer coatings and systemic insecticides such as thiamethoxam and imidacloprid were integrated into treatments to improve seed handling, planting precision, and early pest control. However, concerns emerged about their adverse impact on non-target organisms like bees and even seedling vigor in some crops like soybeans.
- 2010s onwards: The industry pivoted towards biological seed treatments, utilizing beneficial microbes, organic acids, and plant extracts. These approaches help improve germination, root development, nutrient uptake, and resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses.
Biological Seed Treatments: A Sustainable, High-Impact Solution
Biological seed treatments are derived from naturally occurring microorganisms or bioactive compounds. These include strains of Trichoderma, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, rhizobia, mycorrhizal fungi, and plant extracts. These treatments offer numerous agronomic and environmental benefits:
Key Advantages:
- Enhanced Germination and Seedling Vigor: Microbial seed coatings stimulate early metabolic activity and root elongation, giving crops a stronger start.
- Abiotic Stress Tolerance: Certain microbes produce phytohormones (e.g., auxins, gibberellins) and enzymes that help plants withstand drought, salinity, and temperature fluctuations.
- Nutrient Mobilization: Biofertilizer organisms solubilize phosphorus and fix atmospheric nitrogen, improving nutrient uptake efficiency.
- Disease Suppression: Some biologicals act as biocontrol agents, preventing colonization by harmful fungi and bacteria.
- Environmental Safety: Biologicals decompose naturally, leaving no chemical residues in the environment or food chain.
Global Adoption and Success Stories
- Argentina: Biologicals on the Rise
Argentina has emerged as a leader in deploying biological seed treatments. Companies like Rizobacter have pioneered the integration of microbial inoculants into conventional and conservation agriculture systems. Over 1 million hectares of wheat and millions of hectares of soybeans are now treated with biologicals, significantly boosting yields and sustainability.
- Brazil: Rapid Growth of Bioinputs
Brazil’s bioinput market has grown at a 21% annual rate over the past three years—four times the global average. Biological seed treatments are now widely used on soybeans, corn, and sugarcane, with government initiatives and farmer cooperatives actively promoting their adoption.
- India: Emerging Momentum
India, while still early in biological seed treatment adoption, is seeing increasing government and private sector interest. Initiatives under the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) are encouraging the use of biostimulants and microbial solutions, including seed coatings. Startups and ag-tech companies are beginning to explore scalable, locally adapted biological products for crops like rice, wheat, and pulses.
Innovations in Seed Coating Technologies
Advanced seed coating technologies are crucial in ensuring effective delivery of biologicals and micronutrients to the seed.
Seed coating technologies have advanced significantly from their initial role as simple carriers for pesticides. Today, they integrate seed physiology, agronomy, and material science to enhance seed performance. Modern coatings improve germination, protect against environmental stress, and deliver biological and nutritional agents more efficiently. Using biodegradable polymers and natural binders, they offer better seed flow, reduced dust, and improved planting. Innovations like controlled-release mechanisms and microencapsulation enable precise delivery of biostimulants and microbes, supporting root growth and resilience. With a growing focus on sustainability, seed coatings are evolving into active tools for improving crop health, yield, and environmental compatibility.
Examples:
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- Exilva: A Cellulose-Based Additive
Developed by Borregaard, Exilva is a sustainable, cellulose-based additive that enhances seed coating properties. In soybean seed treatments, it:
- Reduced dust emissions by 60%
- Improved seed flowability and plantability
- Strengthened adhesion and uniformity of seed coatings
This not only enhances planting efficiency but also contributes to worker safety and environmental protection.
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- Amulix®: Biodegradable Coatings
Covestro’s Amulix® is a starch-based, biodegradable seed coating that decomposes into water and carbon dioxide. These coatings:
- Align with EU microplastics regulations
- Leave no toxic residues
- Are compatible with biological seed treatments, providing a dual sustainability benefit
(Source: https://solutions.covestro.com/en/highlights/articles/theme/applications/biodegradable-seed-coatings; https://solutions.covestro.com/en/brands/amulix)
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- Seed+™: Nutrient-Packed Seed Treatment
- Verdesian’s Seed+™ is a nutritional seed treatment designed to enhance early plant development and improve yield potential.
- This proprietary formulation:
- Provides essential nutrients directly to the seed for better germination and vigor
- Improves root development and nutrient uptake
- Is compatible with other seed treatments, including biologicals and chemicals
- Promotes sustainability by improving nutrient-use efficiency, reducing environmental impact
(Source: https://vlsci.com/products/seed-graphite/; https://vlsci.com/blog/seed-treatment-guide/)
Additional Developments and Market Dynamics
Smart Coating Technologies
New-generation seed coatings include time-release and temperature-triggered formulations that deliver biologicals or nutrients at precise crop growth stages, improving efficiency and reducing input losses.
Integration with Precision Agriculture
Seed treatments are increasingly integrated with precision agriculture tools, such as seed-specific prescriptions based on field data and GPS-driven variable-rate seeding, further optimizing input use and yields.
Market Projections
The global biological seed treatment market was valued at USD 0.9 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach USD 2 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 11.9%.
Key Growth Drivers:
- Increasing demand for chemical-free, sustainably produced food
- Regulatory shifts favoring low-residue farming inputs
- Expansion of organic farming and regenerative agriculture
- Rising awareness of soil health and microbiome management
(Source: MarketsandMarkets)
Conclusion
Seed coatings and biological seed treatments represent a powerful fusion of nature and technology. By enhancing germination, boosting plant vigor, improving stress resilience, and reducing chemical dependency, these innovations are revolutionizing the way we approach crop establishment and sustainability.
As agriculture faces the twin challenges of climate volatility and food security, these technologies offer scalable, eco-friendly solutions that align with both economic and environmental goals. The continued integration of biologicals, smart coatings, and precision farming tools holds the promise of transforming global agriculture into a more resilient, productive, and sustainable system.
Amol Pawar
Agribusiness Professional, Industry Expert
Mumbai, MH, India
April 30, 2025
