A novel environmentally friendly soybean seed-coating agent

Abstract

In the study, a novel soybean seed-coating agent was prepared which used carboxymethylchitosan as the main component, complemented with trace elements, trace fertilizers, penetrating agent, etc, including high ratio of performance-to-price and environmental friendliness. It is efficient and effective, resulting in better seed and crop protection. The influence of coating film on germination energy, germination percentage, seedling growth, antifeedant rate, safety performance, and field growth of the soybean plants was studied in a series of tests and are described in this paper. The effect of increasing yield of this coating agent was tested in experiments conducted in both laboratory and field. Result of the tests showed that the crop yield of soybean seeds coated by the novel seed-coating agent was increased by 17.95%, and at 25.75% less cost, as compared with a traditional soybean seed-coating agent. The antifeedant test of the novel seed-coating agent showed that it had an excellent antifeedant effect and a unique efficacy in pest control as determined by the analysis of feeding area of the leaves and selective antifeedant rate. The acute toxicity test on Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats confirmed that it was safe for the public and meets environmental requirements during usage and disposal so it may show obvious economic and environmental benefits.