Seed Polymer coating, a method to increase crop yield and reduce environmental pollution

Young seedlings are subjected to different pest and diseases during the early growing season. Most of the seedlings are damaged before establishment and as a result plant canopy followed by crop yield will reduce. Seed is considered as an important input in agriculture and the goal of seed coating is to achieve this potential. The material used for coating is adhesive and harmless which stick to the outer layer of the seed. Today, natural or synthetic polymers are widely used in the agricultural and food industries. Seed polymer coating increases the control of insects and pathogenic fungi, the addition of useful microorganisms to the soil as well as coping with water scarcity. Seedlings emerge from these seeds do not need spraying until 4-8 leaf stage which is essential in terms of environment, growers‟ health and economic reasons. The present study was conducted to synthesize acrylate-styrene copolymer. A acrylate- styrene copolymer was prepared by aqueous emulsion polymerization in the presence of Potassium Per Sulfate (KPS) initiator at 80°C and at 1hours. The copolymer evaluated its feasibility for coating three different crops seed such as sugar beet, corn and alfalfa with fungicide Tiram and insecticide Gaouchu and color(Fig 1.), along with seed coated with foreign commercial polymer and uncoated seed as controls. The study was performed in Sugar Beet Seed Institute in Karaj, within two years. Results of the FT-IR, Particle Size, DSC, and stretch film of copolymer acrylate-styrene were similar to foreign commercial polymer. Also, results of seed quality characteristics showed no deleterious effect on germination and seed establishment. In general, it was shown that acrylate-styrene synthesized copolymer can be used instead of foreign commercial polymer which may prevent foreign material import. Furthermore, toxic Tyram widespread in environment, which may retain for years, may be reduced and finally brings economic benefit for growers