About Smart Seed Coating Technology:
- It is an innovative biopolymer-based technology.
- It is developed by the ICAR–Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research (ICAR-IIOR), Hyderabad
- Key Features:
- Multifunctional Layer: It uses biodegradable biopolymers to form a multifunctional protective layer around seeds.
- Delivery Platform: This coating acts as a delivery platform for beneficial microorganisms, nutrients, micronutrients, crop protection agents, and crop-protection agents directly at the seed-soil interface, improving germination rates and early plant growth,
- Microenvironment: It creates a favourable microenvironment that promotes faster germination, stronger seedling growth, better root development, and enhanced tolerance to both biotic and abiotic stresses during the crucial crop establishment phase.
- The coating can be tailored for a broad range of crops, including cereals, millets, pulses, vegetables, and horticultural produce, and is particularly suited to rainfed farming,
- Significance:
- The technology is particularly relevant for rainfed agriculture, which accounts for a major share of India's cultivated area and is highly vulnerable to climatic uncertainties.
- It aligns closely with national priorities on sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, improved seed systems, and enhanced resource-use efficiency.
