Innovative Enzyme-based Seed Coatings for Wheat: Impacts on Plant Growth, P and N Uptake, and Rhizosphere Enzyme Profile

Global efforts to achieve sustainable agriculture demand innovative solutions that reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers without compromising crop performance. Enzyme-based seed coatings represent a promising, ecofriendly strategy to enhance nutrient use efficiency and promote early plant vigor in cereals. This study investigated the effects of applying industrial-grade amidohydrolases (A) and phosphatases (Ph) to wheat seeds through pelleting and film-coating techniques. Biodegradable and biosafe materials were used, including zeolite (Z) as filler and methylcellulose (MC), gum arabic, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as binders. The enzyme-based film-coating (F_MC1@Ph/A) increased seedling vigor index (up to 74%) and root length (up to 36%) compared to the uncoated seeds. Shoot length increased (up to 21%) in both pelleted seeds containing zeolite, methylcellulose, and polyvinyl alcohol (P_Z15-MC2-PVA@Ph/A) and film-coated seeds (F_MC1@Ph/A). Additionally, the F_MC1@Ph/A coating increased biomass by up to 47%. Plants from P_Z15-MC2-PVA@Ph/A- and F_MC1@Ph/A-coated seeds showed higher P uptake (50% and 38%, respectively) compared to uncoated seeds, while N uptake remained unaffected except for P_Z15MC2-PVA@Ph/A coating at 14 days after planting. Enzyme-based seed coatings also stimulated rhizosphere enzyme activities during the early stages of growth. Principal component analysis and Pearson correlation studies were conducted across the different seed-coating procedures. Overall, the findings highlight the potential of enzyme-based seed coatings to enhance sustainability in cereal systems. However, as proof of concept performed under controlled conditions, the study presents limitations, and further research is necessary before real-world applications.