Evaluation of carboxymethyl cellulose-based seed coatings enriched with micro mineral fertilizers for enhancing wheat seed resilience to abiotic stresses

This study evaluated carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)-based films as seed coatings for improving the germination and early growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Mihan) under abiotic stress conditions. Experiments were carried out in three successive stages to evaluate the effects of polymer and fertilizer concentrations under varying levels of drought stress. Germination percentage (GP), germination rate (GR), root and shoot biomass, and their lengths were determined. Moderate CMC concentrations (0.25-0.5%) improved seed germination and vigor by approximately 5-10% compared with the untreated control, whereas higher concentrations slightly reduced growth, likely due to excessive film rigidity. The addition of 0.2% fertilizer increased coating hardness and hydrophobicity, but slightly reduced root weight and shoot length. Films with higher viscosity showed greater strength and toughness, while medium-viscosity films provided the best balance between mechanical stability and biological performance. Overall, CMC-based coatings, especially at 0.25-0.5% and medium viscosity, significantly enhanced wheat seed resilience, highlighting their potential as multifunctional seed-coating materials to improve establishment under abiotic stress conditions.