ICAR's smart seed coating shows up to 37% yield increase across multiple crops

Hyderabad: In a significant step towards climate-resilient agriculture, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research's Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research (ICAR-IIOR) has developed a patented smart seed coating technology designed to enhance crop productivity while helping farmers cope with increasingly unpredictable weather conditions.

The innovative technology uses a biodegradable biopolymer coating that surrounds seeds with a protective layer containing beneficial microbes, nutrients, plant growth promoters, and crop protection agents. The coating creates a favorable environment around the seed during germination, improving early plant growth and establishment.

According to ICAR-IIOR, the technology has shown promising results in field trials conducted across multiple crops and agro-climatic regions. Researchers reported yield improvements ranging from 12 to 37 percent in crops such as soybean, maize, chickpea, cotton, mustard, pigeon pea, and groundnut. Demonstrations conducted with farmers in Telangana recorded yield gains of up to 30 percent in soybean and groundnut cultivation.

Scientists say the coating helps seeds withstand environmental stresses during the critical germination stage. By improving moisture retention and nutrient availability around the seed, the technology can enhance tolerance to drought, heat stress, pests, and diseases.

The development comes at a time when Indian agriculture is facing growing challenges from climate variability, including erratic rainfall patterns, prolonged dry spells, and rising temperatures. Technologies that improve seed performance and crop resilience are increasingly being viewed as key tools for sustaining farm productivity.

Another notable feature of the innovation is its versatility. The coating can be customized for a wide range of crops, including cereals, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, spices, fodder crops, and horticultural crops, making it suitable for diverse farming systems across the country.

Researchers believe the technology could be particularly beneficial for rainfed and resource-constrained farming regions, where crop establishment is often affected by adverse weather conditions. Wider adoption of such seed enhancement technologies may help farmers achieve better yields while reducing production risks.

ICAR-IIOR is expected to work with industry partners and stakeholders to facilitate the commercialization and large-scale deployment of the technology in the coming years.