Abstract
Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) applied to soil have been recognized as water reservoirs that allow plants to cope with periods of drought. Their application as a seed coat makes water available directly to the seeds during their germination and early growth phase, but on the other hand, it can affect the efficiency of plant protection substances used in seed dressing. In our experiments, we evaluated the effect of seed coating with SAP on fungicide leaching and changes in their effectiveness in suppressing Fusarium culmorum infestation. Leaching of fungicide from wheat seeds coated with SAP after fungicide dressing, as measured by the inhibition test of mycelium growth under in vitro conditions, was reduced by 14.2–15.8% compared to seeds without SAP coating. Germination of maize seeds and growth of juvenile plants in artificially infected soil did not differ significantly between seeds dressed with fungicide alone and seeds treated with SAP and fungicide. In addition, plants from the seeds coated with SAP alone grew significantly better compared to untreated seeds. Real-time PCR also confirmed this trend by measuring the amount of pathogen DNA in plant tissue. Winter wheat was less tolerant to F. culmorum infection and without fungicide dressing, the seeds were unable to germinate under strong pathogen attack. In the case of milder infection, similar results were observed as in the case of maize seeds.
Highlights
Seed germination and early development of healthy juvenile plants are limiting factors for the establishment of crop yields [1]
Seed coating with superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) that enables better germination and more effective crop establishment during periods of drought could alter the effectiveness of substances for crop protection used in seed dressing
SAP coating in variants with fungicides was applied after fungicide dressing
Summary
Seed germination and early development of healthy juvenile plants are limiting factors for the establishment of crop yields [1]. Drought is a major abiotic stress that threatens the efficiency of agricultural production because seed germination, plant growth, and fruiting in drought conditions are reduced [3,4]. Tackling this problem will be crucial for crop production in the future. For 2100, the FAO predicted that climate change with higher temperatures, droughts, floods, and irregular rainfall would lead to a decline in the production of major cereals (20–45% for maize, 5–50% for wheat, and 20–30% for rice), which endangers food security [5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
