Seedball Technology: Facets and Prospects for Restoration of Degraded Lands

Seedball technology is an uncomplicated and economical method for pelleting seeds, utilizing readily available materials like sand, loam, wood ash, and seeds themselves to enhance initial crop establishment. It is an inexpensive method that is unique and regulated and gives rise to new plants in areas lacking in flora, deforested areas, grasslands, and cultivable land used for agriculture and horticulture worldwide. Around the world, seed balls have grown to be a significant component of natural farming and conservation projects. With the use of inexpensive seed ball technology, this program aims to improve ecosystems and create a healthy environment in light of the financial differences between the public and private sectors. For the foundation of forests or the remnants of trees in an area where there was previously no tree cover, seed ball technology is helpful. Many agricultural and horticultural crops may be produced in difficult soils with seed ball technology without the need for field preparation, such as weeding, watering, or plowing, and with protection from ants, birds, and other unfavorable abiotic and biotic stresses. This chapter sheds light on different aspects of using seed balls for the restoration of degraded lands and tries to bring together available information regarding preparation techniques and usage methods of seed balls in order to improve seed establishment in degraded areas.