SeedPlus - Innovative seed coating for sustainability and yield security - Crop success even under harsh conditions!

1. Water management

SeedPlus offers seed coatings that optimally absorb and store water. Natural formulations based on biopolymers ensure that seeds are constantly supplied with moisture during the germination phase - even when water is scarce. The coating delivers water to the seedling in a targeted and uniform manner, improving the chances of germination and growth under extreme conditions.

2. Herbicide protection

SeedPlus coatings integrate absorbent particles such as activated carbon as a protective barrier against herbicides. This barrier intercepts harmful substances and prevents them from reaching the seedling. This protects the plant from chemical exposure during the sensitive germination phase and promotes healthy growth.

3. Environmentally friendly innovation

SeedPlus is made from proven biodegradable, bio-based materials that actively help to prevent microplastics and protect the environment. These sustainable raw materials reduce the input of pollutants and offer the potential for transfer to other applications in the processing forms developed.

The SeedPlus technology is based on core competencies in the following R&D fields:

Materials development and coating technology

• We have developed formulations for biodegradable coatings that combine two key functions:
  Optimized water management - The coating specifically regulates water uptake and storage, releasing moisture to the seed as needed. This helps (alternative supports) the seed in the early stages of development during drought stress.
• Protection from herbicides - A selective barrier protects the seedling from harmful herbicides without compromising germination or growth. Only natural organic and inorganic materials are used in the development of coating formulations. We determine the most efficient compositions in systematic tests of various material combinations. The material combinations include polysaccharides, proteins, rubbers and porous inorganic materials such as activated carbon.

Encapsulation, coating structure and function

To achieve the coating, SeedPlus technology uses a variety of processes to encapsulate the seed with the selected materials:

• Drum coater In this process, the seed is moved in a rotating drum and the coating materials are added step by step. This process results in a uniform coating of the seed and is suitable for mass production.
• Fluidized bed process The seed is held in a fluidized bed by a flowing gas and sprayed with the coating materials. This process allows precise control of the coating thickness and is particularly suitable for sensitive seed types.

Compatibility tests and functional studies

Another key component of SeedPlus is feedback to the development process through continuous evaluation of the functionality of the formulations and seed coatings developed. We use a two-step test procedure:

• Germination capability First, the compatibility of the raw materials, formulations, process settings and coatings used is tested to ensure that they do not affect germination. Germination and motility tests are performed under controlled environmental conditions.

If compatibility is proven, the coating is functionally optimized with respect to

• Water management One of the main priorities is the water storage capacity of seed coatings with biological or biodegradable materials. During the development process, this property is successively investigated and verified in standardized drought stress tests in high-throughput, application-oriented greenhouse tests and field trials.
• Protective effect The effectiveness of the protective layer against herbicides or other harmful substances is also tested in high-throughput tests during the development phase and later verified under real field conditions. In particular, it is investigated how well and for how long the activated carbon binds the herbicides, allows germination and protects the seedling growth.

The coating strategy can be optimized for specific crops and supplemented with biological additives to meet the individual needs of the crop or seed.

Environmental assessment

In order to be able to make reliable statements about the ecotoxicity and degradation behavior of coating materials during the material development phase, we have established a screening platform for assessing the environmental compatibility of new seed coatings. The aim is to identify environmental risks at an early stage.

Ecotoxicology

• Aquatic ecotoxicology Green algae, water fleas and zebrafish embryos were used as model organisms for the aquatic screening tests in accordance with OECD TG 201, 202 and 236. To save time, space and materials, some of the test systems were miniaturized and modified. For example, transcriptome analyses were added to OECD TG 236.
• Terrestrial ecotoxicology The diversity of the terrestrial ecosystem is assessed using model organisms of the micro-, meso- and macrofauna (OECD TG 216, ISO 15685, ISO 20130, qPCR: archaeal and bacterial amoA, OECD TG 232, OECD TG 222, ISO 17512-1). The results show that soil microorganisms are the most sensitive group of organisms, while the other organisms tested were less sensitive.

Degradation behavior

• The degradation behaviour was investigated using a standardized screening method (OECD TG 301) in an aqueous sewage sludge medium. Based on this, a modified screening method was developed to determine the potential degradability of polymers in less time and with less effort.
•  In addition, the degradation of the new seed coating is being tested in a simulation study in soil (OECD TG 307). ¹⁴C-isotope labeled polymers in combination with modern analytical methods (pyrolysis-GC/MS, FFF-MALS) allow a detailed analysis of the degradation behavior.
• The transferability of the results from the simulation study will be checked with an outdoor test under real environmental conditions. Here, too, ¹⁴C isotope labeling is used to track the degradation.

We developed the SeedPlus technology in an internal Fraunhofer PREPARE project, it offers the following key benefits:

1. Optimized germination conditions and higher yields

SeedPlus improves germination conditions through targeted water release and effective protection against pollutants. These optimized growth conditions contribute to increased resistance, especially in the early stages of plant development. The improved nutrient and water supply leads to robust crop establishment, resulting in more consistent and higher yields, increasing the efficiency of agricultural production.

2. Reduced use of chemical pesticides

The integrated herbicide protection mechanism in SeedPlus creates a selective barrier for the seedling. The advantage of this protection lies in the joint and precise application of emergence herbicides and water exclusively in the seed row, which makes the new SeedPlus seeding technology resource-saving, economically viable and, above all, more environmentally friendly. This not only has a positive impact on the environment by minimizing soil and water pollution, but also contributes to the long-term preservation of soil fertility and the promotion of a healthy agricultural ecosystem. In addition, a reduction in chemical inputs can help reduce weed resistance.

3. High scalability and application flexibility

A key advantage of the SeedPlus technology is its adaptability to different seed types and sizes. It can therefore be used in a variety of agricultural sectors and can be tailored to individual needs. In addition, SeedPlus technology enables efficient mass production, making it economically attractive for large acreages.

4. Focus on sustainability and environmental friendliness

SeedPlus uses environmentally friendly materials that are fully biodegradable. This minimizes the impact on agricultural land and adjacent ecosystems. The sustainable design of this seed technology therefore makes a significant contribution to reducing environmental impact and supporting sustainable agriculture.

SeedPlus combines technological efficiency and ecological responsibility to create an innovative solution for modern agriculture. The technology offers economic and environmental benefits and can help meet the challenges of sustainable food production. SeedPlus - for future-proof agriculture