University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) - Research portal
Gewählte Master / Diploma Thesis:
Julia Hengl
(2018):
Connecting material properties with the overall performance of microbial seed coatings for maize.
Master / Diploma Thesis - Institut für Bodenforschung (IBF),
BOKU-Universität für Bodenkultur,
pp 72.
UB BOKU
obvsg
- Abstract:
- Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) are one potential alternative to chemical pesticides and fertilizers, however, the use and commercialization of microbial inoculants is still limited owing to a lack of protective formulations. Within this master thesis microbial seed coating formulations for maize were investigated with the aim of supporting bacterial viability of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. Therefore, various materials including the biopolymers pectin, carboxymethyl cellulose, gelatin, arabic gum, whey protein and gellan gum used as adhesives in combination with the additives talc, milk powder and micronized polyethylene, the plasticizer glycerol and the filler nanocellulose were evaluated with respect to biological and physico-chemical parameters, such as bacterial viability, seed vigour and germination, flowability and abrasion. The results indicate that bacterial viability was considerably maintained up to 4 months when using whey protein, gelatin, arabic gum and CMC and stored at room temperature in the dark. The addition of milk powder and glycerol was proved to significantly increase the cell number in CMC-based coatings by up to 2 logs CFU/mL, while addition of nanocellulose had only little positive impact. However, none of the coatings negatively affected seed germination. Seed vigour was improved by up to 3% in whey protein and Kelcogel coatings compared to the control. These findings significantly contribute to the development of efficient microbial seed coating formulations and the potential use of PGPB in sustainable agriculture.
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