An eco-friendly top down approach to nutrient incorporated electrospun seed coating for superior germination potential.

Abstract

In this work we have integrated the top down approach of electrospinning with reduction method of synthesising nanoparticles to form synthesised cobalt nanoparticles/urea incorporated Polyvinylpyrrolidone nanofibers. The advantages of the electrospun ultrathin fibrous polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was applied to agriculture to improve crop yield. The fibers formed were characterised by microscopic, spectroscopic and thermal analysis. These fibers namely polymer PVP incorporated with urea, Co NPs separately and in combination were coated on cowpea seeds (Vigna unguiculata) to evaluate their effect on germination characteristics. The results obtained confirm that this seed coat would help in better protection of seed and lead to greater crop yield. On performing one way ANOVA, the difference in treatment had a significant effect on the germination parameters. The seed coatings containing both urea and Co NPs showed good germination rate among the samples. From the germination parameters the seed coating can be graded as follows: Uncoated < PVP < Co NPs incorporated PVP ≤ Urea incorporated PVP < Urea/ Co NPs incorporated PVP. The conductivity measurements of the steep water obtained by soaking the coated seeds in water at room temperature for a period of 24 hours also confirmed the effectiveness of the seed coatings. On addition of Co NPs, the utility of urea can be minimised for a good crop establishment. The dispersion of the cobalt nanoparticles (Co NPs) and urea into the polymer coating and the subsequent controlled release of the nutrients to the seed during germination has been achieved using the electrospinning process. We conclude that the use of biocompatible polymer seed coat, along with the integrated nutrients, forms an environment friendly, germination enhancing and protective coating for the seed leading to a sustainable agricultural development.