Pre-sowing seed treatment with a starch-based biopolymer compositions

Abstract

The work investigated the properties and effectiveness of the use of biopolymer compositions based on corn starch for pre-sowing seed treatment. The degree of starch polymerization was determined by mass spectrometry. The film formation features of the studied biopolymer, its microbiological characteristics and changes in the physical characteristics of biopolymer solutions when inorganic compounds were added from 8% to 20–25% were investigated. It was established that the optimal concentration of starch in aqueous solutions for the formation of a uniform film is 4–5%. Under such conditions, a protective layer with a thickness of 20–35 μm is formed on the surface of the seeds, which ensures the stable retention of 20–25% of mineral compounds in its structure. Practical tests on spring wheat, sunflower and flax crops demonstrated a significant increase in yield (15–25%) while simultaneously reducing the consumption of mineral fertilizers by 10–50 times compared to traditional application to the soil. The proposed method helps reduce anthropogenic burden on the environment and prevents soil degradation.