SF-Pollen Polysaccharide Enhance The Ability Of Seeds To Resist Low Temperature Stress
1. Seed Is The “Chip” Of Agriculture
1.1 Seed Is The Foundation Of Agricultural Production
Seed is the starting point of the agricultural industry chain, the core of agricultural technological innovation, and an important carrier for implementing “Storing Grain In Technology”. It is known as the “chip” of agriculture. Seed is also the most acceptable and directly used technology for farmers, and is the “key” to ensuring global food security. According to the prediction of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the global population will reach 8.5 billion by 2030, and improving productivity is the key to feeding the growing global population. China is the world’s largest seed industry market, with the market size of crop and livestock and poultry seed industry approaching 600 billion Yuan. The contribution rates of improved varieties to grain production and animal husbandry have reached 45% and 40% respectively, and the promotion rate of excellent varieties has exceeded 96%. It is estimated that 87% of the global crop yield growth in 2030 will come from unit yield growth. The most important way to improve the yield and quality of agricultural products in the future is through innovation in the seed industry. The seed industry is an integrated industry that focuses on crop seeds, aims to provide high-quality commercial seeds for agricultural production, and integrates seed research, production, processing, sales, and management through modern agricultural scientific and technological achievements and management techniques.
1.2 Extreme Environments Seriously Affect The Healthy Growth Of Seeds
According to the latest report of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the recent level of climate change is unprecedented. According to the prediction of average temperature changes in the next 20 years, global warming is expected to reach or exceed 1.5 ℃. Climate change is the most significant risk facing the food system in the future, and improving the climate tolerance of seeds is the key to addressing climate change.
Low temperature and freezing damage is one of the important meteorological disasters affecting global agricultural production. In high altitude regions, such as Northeast China, low temperatures in Spring and Autumn seriously affect crop growth and seed reproduction [1]. Some studies have shown that corn seeds with a water content of 30% lasting for 8 hours at – 4 ℃ will seriously affect the germination potential and germination rate of corn seeds [2]. When the temperature rises to a range of 16 to 19 ℃, the growth rate, linear elongation, and biomass deposition rate of corn primary roots will increase by 2-3 times. After harvesting peanuts, exposure to a low temperature of – 1 ℃ for 12 hours can lead to a decrease in seed vigor, significantly reducing their germination potential, germination index, etc., affecting germination and seedling emergence [3].
Similarly, high temperature and drought are also meteorological disasters that affect seed germination and crop growth. The common high temperature and low humidity weather is accompanied by strong winds, forming a typical dry and hot wind, which easily leads to high temperature forced ripening of wheat. In addition, the amount of precipitation is small and spatially distributed unevenly, resulting in accelerated senescence of wheat plants, shortened filling period, significant decline in yield and quality, and a reduction in yield of 10% to 30% [4].
Therefore, in order to cope with the phenomenon of non germination of seeds and crop yield reduction caused by different meteorological disasters, people use seed treatment methods to protect seeds, such as seed dressing and coating, to promote their growth and development, improve their resistance to adverse environments, and thereby ensure agricultural quality and safety.
2. Prevention And Control Measures For Seed Response To Stress
2.1 Development Of Seed Treatment Technology
Seed treatment refers to the use of biological, physical, and chemical methods to inhibit the damage of pathogenic bacteria and insects to seeds, seedlings, or plants before sowing. Traditional seed treatment methods include soaking, dressing, and coating.
As early as 1926, Thornton and Ganulee from the United States first proposed the concept of seed coating, and then researchers from various countries carried out exploration of different crop coating technologies [5]. In the 1960s, American farmers discovered issues such as small size, irregular shape, and difficulty in grasping the amount of cotton seeds when planting cotton. Blessing proposed using flour paste to coat cotton seeds to make them larger and more uniform, making it easier to sow [6-7]. In 1978, the Texas Experimental Station in the United States first developed a film seed coating agent, and the film seed coating technology was widely used in the 1980s. In 1983, Furadan seed coating agent was developed by the American company, which is an important milestone in the world seed processing session [8].
Seed treatment technology in China started relatively late, and only in the 1950s begin to promote seed soaking and seed dressing technology to control plant diseases and insects at seedling stage. In 1976, the Sugar Beet Industry Research Institute of the Ministry of Light Industry conducted pelletizing and coating treatment on sugar beet seeds [9]. In 1978, Shenyang Research Institute of Chemical Industry developed a mixed formulation with phorate and carbendazim or pentachloronitrobenzene as the effective components as a seed coating agent [10]. In 1980, researchers such as Mao Ruda conducted research on the coating treatment of corn seeds. At that time, seed coating agents suitable for various crops such as rice [11], soybean [12], wheat [13], and corn [14] were also introduced. In 1991, with the issuance of the first pesticide registration certificate for seed processing, China’s seed coating products began to gradually enter the development path of institutionalization, commercialization, and standardization. Seed coating agents gradually became one of the most important pesticide formulations [15]. At present, in agricultural production, seed treatment has become the most important measure to prevent plant diseases and insects at the seedling stage and resist extreme weather.
2.2 Characteristics Of Seed Treatment
Seed is a food source for soil microorganisms (fungi, bacteria, viruses, etc.) and soil insects. Compared to traditional plant protection techniques, seed treatment can prevent and control diseases caused by soil and seed borne pathogens, as well as diseases and insects during crop seedling stage [16]. At the same time, seed treatment can reduce the side effects of chemicals on the environment, reduce costs, reduce the number of applications, and save time. For crop seeds, due to storage techniques, seed vigor may be reduced, and seed treatment can break the dormancy state of the seeds and restore seed vigor; Moreover, some seed treatment agents can activate endogenous substances in plant seeds and enhance crop stress resistance [17].
However, at present, the quality of seed treatment agents on the market is uneven. Improper dosage by farmers in production, misuse of formulations, and other reasons can easily lead to seed damage, resulting in crop failure to emerge, uneven emergence, seedling deformity, and even lower yields. Some seed treatment agents are prone to chemical damage under low temperature conditions, affecting the normal germination of seeds, leading to seedling deficiency and ridge breaking.
Therefore, more and more industry researchers are focusing on the development of efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly seed treatment technologies, such as biological seed coating agents made from living microorganisms or microbial metabolites, which can improve the compatibility between seeds and soil, promote crop growth, and enhance the immunity of crops [18].
Recently, a Chinese agricultural biotechnology research and development enterprise applied a plant source biostimulant called SF-Pollen Polysaccharide to seed treatment. The results showed that after treatment, the seed germination rate, root length, root weight, etc., were significantly improved. When applied with coating agents, it can promote the growth of stems of crops such as corn, and enhance the ability of crops to resist lodging in the later stage. It can be seen that seed processing technology has been promoted towards the direction of safety, environmental protection, and compliance with the development of national green agriculture.
3. SF-Pollen Polysaccharide can significantly improve the emergence rate of seeds and promote healthy growth of seeds
3.1 Characteristics of SF-Pollen Polysaccharide
SF-Pollen Polysaccharide is a plant source biostimulant extracted by Chengdu Newsun Crop Science Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Newsun”) through green and environmentally friendly processes. The crude extract is a light brown powder, easily soluble in hot water, insoluble in organic solvents such as ethanol, acetone, etc. Its main components are water-soluble sugars such as polysaccharides, oligosaccharides, monosaccharides, and in addition, it is rich in amino acids, minerals, trace elements, etc. It uses plant pollen as raw material, introduces cellulase hydrolysis and wall breaking technology, and cooperates with a certain degree of mechanical stirring to separate and form water-soluble SF-Pollen Polysaccharides.
It is understood that SF-Pollen Polysaccharide, as a plant source biostimulant, contains active polysaccharides and other effective components that can enhance seed germination and promote the rooting of crop seedlings. At the same time, after being absorbed by plants, SF-Pollen Polysaccharide can significantly promote crop growth by regulating the expression of genes related to flavonoids, glutathione, and phenylpropanes, enhancing glutathione metabolism, and promoting the biosynthesis of flavonoids and phenylpropanes.
3.2 Effects Of SF-Pollen Polysaccharide On Seed Germination And Growth Of Different Crops After Seed Treatment
3.2.1 Effect Of Seed Dressing With SF-Pollen Polysaccharide On The Germination And Growth Of Soybean
Soybean seeds were treated by SF-Pollen Polysaccharide according to the ratio of 1:10000 (SF-1), 1:5000 (SF-2), and 1:1000 (SF-3). After 24 hours of drying naturally, normal plump seeds were selected for culture and germination. The control group(CK) was a common plant regulator product in the market, which could be used for seed dressing. After 7 days of treatment, the investigation found that compared with the control group, under SF-Pollen Polysaccharide treatment, there was no significant change in the growth of soybean aboveground, but significant change in root growth. Root length increased by 12.11% – 14.49%, and root weight per plant increased by 12.47% – 18.01%, with the best root growth effect under the treatment of 1:5000 product & seed ratio.
Table 1: Soybean Seed Dressing By 3 # SF-Pollen Polysaccharide Data Investigation (7 Days Later)
Treat-ment | Germination rate(%) | root length | Increase rate(%) | Plant height | Increase rate(%) | mg
Root weight per plant |
Increase rate(%) | Mg
Fresh weight above ground per plant |
Increase rate(%) |
CK | 95 | 14.7±0.54b | 24.92±0.90a | 361±6.03b | 1626±36.34ab | ||||
SF-1 | 95 | 16.48±0.36a | 12.11 | 25.51±0.49a | 2.37 | 406±22.94ab | 12.47 | 1641±34.37b | 0.92 |
SF-2 | 98 | 16.82±0.35a | 14.42 | 25.94±0.53a | 4.09 | 426±8.19a | 18.01 | 1691±57.04a | 4.00 |
SF-3 | 98 | 16.83±0.40a | 14.49 | 25.03±0.37a | 0.44 | 409±27.87ab | 13.30 | 1704±50.99a | 4.80 |
3.2.2 Effects of Seed Treatment with SF-Pollen Polysaccharide on Maize Germination Growth
(1) Seeds dressing for corn. After corn seed dressing with SF-Pollen Polysaccharide in accordance with different dosage, compared to the control group (CK), various indicators of corn after seed dressing with SF-Pollen Polysaccharide increased to varying degrees. Under 1:10000-1:2000 times treatment, corn root length increased by 12.24%, root fresh weight increased by 8.66% – 11.24%, and fresh weight of aerial part increased by 7.96% – 8.98%.
Table 2: Effect Of Seed Dressing By SF-Pollen Polysaccharide On Maize Growth
Treatment | Germination rate(%) | Increase rate(%) | root length(cm) | Increase rate(%) | Plant height(cm) | Increase rate(%) | Root fresh weight (g/plant) | Increase rate(%) | Fresh weight per plant(g) | Increase rate(%) |
CK | 93.33 | – | 16.51 | – | 13.27 | – | 1.085 | – | 0.490 | – |
1:10000 | 100.00 | 7.15 | 18.53 | 12.24 | 13.81 | 4.07 | 1.207 | 11.24 | 0.529 | 7.96 |
1:2000 | 96.67 | 3.58 | 18.53 | 12.24 | 13.59 | 2.41 | 1.179 | 8.66 | 0.534 | 8.98 |
1:1000 | 98.33 | 5.36 | 17.90 | 8.42 | 13.51 | 1.81 | 1.169 | 7.74 | 0.508 | 3.67 |
1:500 | 98.33 | 5.36 | 17.83 | 8.00 | 13.69 | 3.17 | 1.191 | 9.77 | 0.526 | 7.35 |
1:250 | 98.33 | 5.36 | 18.02 | 9.14 | 13.66 | 2.94 | 1.172 | 8.02 | 0.518 | 5.71 |
(2) Seed coating for corn. The conventional seed coating agent SLS was used for seed coating, while SF-Pollen Polysaccharide was combined to test the synergistic effect. The results showed that compared with the coating agent only, the best effect was obtained when the dosage of SF-Pollen Polysaccharide was 20g/100kg, with the increase in root length, stem diameter, root weight, and plant weight being 19.85%, 17.09%, 8.91%, and 7.77%, respectively.
Fig.1: Effect Of SF-Pollen Polysaccharide by Seed Coating On Corn Root And Aerial Part Growth
3.2.3 Effects of Seed Treatment by SF-Pollen Polysaccharide on Wheat Germination and Growth
(1) Wheat seed soaking. After seed soaking treatment, it was found that the SF-Pollen Polysaccharide had a promoting effect on wheat plant height, root length, plant weight, and root weight. Under 2 ppm treatment, compared to the positive control treatment, the SF-Pollen Polysaccharide treatment increased wheat plant height, root length, plant weight, and root weight by 12%, 24%, 45%, and 43%, respectively.
(2) Wheat seed dressing. Compared to the control group(CK), after seed dressing with different concentration of SF- Pollen Polysaccharide, the root length increased by 5.46% under the treatment of 10g SF- Pollen Polysaccharide, and the root weight and plant weight increased by 16.19% and 4.51% under the treatment of 400g SF- Pollen Polysaccharide.
Fig.2: Changes In Wheat Root System And Plant Height After Seed Dressing By SF-Pollen Polysaccharide
Table 3 Effect Of Seed Dressing By SF-Pollen Polysaccharide On Wheat Growth
Index | CK | Ratio of SF-Pollen Polysaccharide weight to seed weight
(g/100kg) |
||||
10 | 50 | 100 | 200 | 400 | ||
Germination Percentage (%) | 84.5a | 85.33a | 90a | 85a | 85a | 86.67a |
Fresh Weight Per Plant (g) | 95.65bc | 92.74bc | 91.27c | 98.24ab | 101.89a | 103.35a |
Root Fresh Weight (g) | 83.03b | 91.05ab | 93.13ab | 98.55a | 88.77ab | 98.73a |
Root Length (cm) | 12.63b | 13.61a | 13.14ab | 12.85ab | 13.22ab | 13.23ab |
Plant Height (cm) | 12.48a | 11.96bc | 11.63c | 12.08ab | 12.37ab | 12.41ab |
3.3 Seed Treatment by SF-Pollen Polysaccharide at Low Temperature Promotes Germination of Soybean and Corn
3.3.1 Seed Dressing by SF-Pollen Polysaccharide at Low Temperature Promotes Germination of Corn
Under low temperature conditions, compared to the control group (CK), SF-Pollen Polysaccharide did not have a significant advantage in plant height growth after seed dressing, but had a significant promoting effect on leaf width, stem diameter, root fresh weight, and aerial root elongation, with increases of 15.8-20.3%, 13.2-21.4%, 17.3-29.6%, 10-20%, and 79-174.4%, respectively. This indicates that SF-Pollen Polysaccharide can promote the ability of corn to resist lodging under low temperature conditions, thereby promoting the ability of corn to absorb and transfer underground nutrients, and promoting the ability of corn to resist lodging.
Table 4 Effect Of Seed Dressing By SF-Pollen Polysaccharide On Corn Growth Under Low Temperature Conditions
Treatment | Emergence Rate
(%) |
Plant Height
(cm) |
Leaf Width
(cm) |
Stem Thickness
(cm) |
Fresh Weight Per Plant
(g/plant) |
Root Fresh
Weight (g/plant) |
Aerial Root Outgrowth Rate
(%) |
Aerial Root Length
(cm) |
|
CK(water) | 95.00a | 9.41d | 1.48b | 3.51d | 0.41d | 0.82b | 43.33c | 0.43c | |
BH (Other product) | 96.67a | 15.76a | 1.33c | 3.18c | 0.55a | 0.81b | 0d | 0d | |
SF-Pollen Polysaccharide
(g/100kg) |
10 | 98.33a | 9.97c | 1.55a | 3.6bc | 0.45cd | 0.99a | 60.0a | 0.77b |
50 | 95.00a | 10.59b | 1.57a | 3.86a | 0.52ab | 1.05a | 60.0a | 1.07a | |
100 | 96.67a | 9.97c | 1.60a | 3.65bc | 0.47bc | 1.01a | 53.33b | 1.18a | |
200 | 95a | 10.17bc | 1.54a | 3.74ab | 0.49bc | 1.00a | 60.0a | 0.77b | |
400 | 95a | 10.48b | 1.56a | 3.61bc | 0.48bc | 0.95ab | 63.33a | 1.06a |
3.3.2 SF-Pollen Polysaccharide Combined With Seed Coating Agent Can Promote Corn Seed Growth Under Low Temperature Conditions
Under low temperature conditions, when 20 g/100 kg of SF-Pollen Polysaccharide was applied with seed coating agent, the plant height, stem diameter, and root weight of corn were significantly increased, with an increase of 15.28%, 12.30%, and 30.67% respectively.
Table 5 Effect Of Coating By Sf-Pollen Polysaccharide On Maize Growth Under Low Temperature Conditions
Treatment | Emergence Rate
%
|
Plant Height
cm |
Stem Thickness
mm |
Leaf Width
cm |
Fresh Weight Per Plant
g/plant |
Root Fresh
Weight g/plant |
|
CK | 95.0ab | 6.9d | 2.90c | 1.5b | 0.39b | 0.64e | |
SLS | 93.3b | 7.2cd | 3.09bc | 1.6a | 0.44a | 0.75d | |
SF-Pollen Polysaccharide g/100kg | SF5 | 95.0ab | 7.6bc | 3.29ab | 1.5b | 0.48a | 0.81bcd |
SF10 | 100a | 7.6bc | 3.47a | 1.6a | 0.43ab | 0.78cd | |
SF20 | 96.7ab | 8.3a | 3.47a | 1.6a | 0.43ab | 0.98a | |
SF40 | 98.3ab | 7.6bc | 3.32ab | 1.6ab | 0.44a | 0.90ab | |
SF60 | 98.3ab | 7.9ab | 3.34ab | 1.6a | 0.45a | 0.86bc |
Fig.3: Effect of coating by SF-Pollen Polysaccharide on corn growth under low temperature conditions
4. Market Outlook For Seed Treatment Agents
Seed treatment technology is an effective measure to improve seed quality, reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases, and increase production and harvest. It is an important component and strategic breakthrough of national seed engineering, and plays an important role in the sustainable development of efficient agriculture. With the increasing demand for chemical pesticide reduction, the development and use of seed treatment agents will become increasingly standardized, practical, and safe. The seed treatment market is expected to grow from $6.1 billion in 2022 to $9.2 billion in 2027, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.3% over the forecast period.
Therefore, further developing new, efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly seed treatment technologies is the focus of the current seed treatment technology market. At the same time, strengthen the research on seed treatment product formulations, form products that are convenient for application and low cost, and improve the application efficiency of seed treatment agents. Finally, improve the application technology of seed treatment agents to form a more extensive, systematic, and standard seed treatment application scheme. As a green, environmentally friendly, safe, and efficient new type of biostimulant, pollen polysaccharide can improve seed germination rate and vigor in seed treatment, enhance the resistance of seeds to different environments, and has formed a relatively mature application technology system. The innovative research, development, and application of this technology have important value in coping with extreme weather for agriculture, seeds, and the healthy growth of crops, It has far-reaching promotion significance for improving food security.
Newsun Crop Science’s website: http://www.cdxzy.com
E-mail: [email protected]
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