Pirzada & Sohail et. al, Green Chemistry (2022)
Seed coating, an ancient agricultural practice, has become a widely adopted method for enhancing crop yields, but it faces challenges such as agrochemical overuse, non-biodegradable materials causing pollution, and increased costs. Recent research in seed coating focuses on balancing high crop yields with minimal environmental impact. This involves innovations in coating material synthesis, energy and chemical utilization, and understanding the effects on seed growth, as well as the ultimate fate of the materials in the environment. The review covers various coating types, including microbe-inoculated, polysaccharide-based, nanofibrous, hydrogel, and nanomaterials, with a specific focus on biomass-derived strategies for a circular seed coating industry.