“Prebiotic Seed Coating can Enhance Rhizosphere Activity and crop Productivity in Blackgram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper)”

The study was conducted for exploring efficacy of a prebiotic seed coating formulation on soil microbial communities and it’s potential to enhance soil health and crop productivity.

The blackgram seeds were coated with prebiotic seed coating formulation at 4, 6, and 8 g kg⁻¹ of seeds and screened based on the seedling characteristics, rhizosphere activity and root exudates. Two best treatments were forwarded to field trials along with control to examine the spermosphere, rhizosphere activity, crop growth and soil health characteristics.

In laboratory, prebiotic seed coating formulation at 8 g kg⁻¹ significantly improved blackgram germination (92%), and soil microbial activity. Seedlings from seeds coated with prebiotic formulation released a greater number of unique compounds in root exudates. Field evaluation with the prebiotic seed coating formulation at 8 g kg⁻¹, exhibited higher field emergence (90.0%), plant population (19.6 no. m⁻²), and other growth attributes. Spermosphere, rhizosphere microbial activity, dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase activity were increased at different growth stages (30 and 60 days after sowing) at 8 g kg⁻¹. Prebiotic film coating of blackgram seeds at 8 g kg⁻¹ resulted in higher number of pods plant⁻¹ (30.14) and 100 seed weight (4.019 g), which resulted in increased seed yield plant ⁻¹ (8.750 g).

Results demonstrated that prebiotic seed coating of blackgram seeds at 8 g kg⁻¹ improved seed germination, seedling vigour, spermosphere, rhizosphere microbial population, enzyme activity leading to improved soil health and crop productivity. Through the research, prebiotic seed coating technology can be introduced as a novel technology to enhance rhizosphere activity and improve soil health.