Innovative seed treatment solution being developed at the University of Szeged

(Photo: Pixabay)

According to the statement, the foundations of the research date back to 2019. The first experiments were carried out with goosegrass with the participation of the Department of Plant Biology, and then, due to the encouraging results, the research focused on tomatoes. The microbiologist conducted the first experiments in a raised bed built by himself, where he already applied seed treatment at that time.

The university’s Proof of Concept grant in 2024 enabled the molecular-level validation of the experimental results.

The research team used RNA sequencing and other molecular and analytical techniques to explore the gene expression changes that occur in plants after seed treatment. The treated tomato seedlings showed larger sizes and higher photosynthetic pigment content at a young age, and in the long term, the yield was also demonstrably increased. It was clearly demonstrated that the favorable results were indeed the consequences of the seed treatment. The university grant awarded the following year also enabled them to begin investigating the application of the treatment to the seeds of field crops, using drenching methods. The long-term goal is to achieve the growth-promoting effect observed in tomatoes in wheat, corn and other field crops.

The expert explained that the advantage of seed treatment is that it is easy for farmers to implement, for example in a seeding machine, and does not have to be applied to the plants multiple times

Three product concepts were outlined during the development: a seed tape solution optimized for tomatoes, a liquid treatment agent for soaking in seed treatment, and a seed dressing that can serve both large-scale and small-scale farmers. One of the most important innovations of the product is that it is not based on passive nutrient supply, but works with an active ingredient that specifically triggers processes in the plant that help plant growth and increase yield. It also offers an alternative to microbial inoculants, as it exerts its effect without the application of microorganisms, but through the activation of the plant’s own genes. According to the researcher, the seed tape method may be particularly attractive in small gardens, while the greatest market potential lies in the seed dressing. The first prototypes are planned to be ready in 2026-2027, and will undergo extensive testing before being launched on the market.

MTI