Seed Coating: A

Tool for Delivering

Beneficial
Microbes to
Agricultural Crops
Inês Rocha, Ying Ma, Pablo Souza-Alonso,
Miroslav Vosátka, Helena Freitas
and Rui S. Oliveira (2019)

Presented by:
Jaymar L. Galag
PhD in Plant Science Student
 Seed Coating: A Tool for Delivering
Beneficial Microbes to Agricultural Crops
Inês Rocha, Ying Ma, Pablo Souza-Alonso, Miroslav Vosátka, Helena Freitas
and Rui S. Oliveira

• This article concerns seed coating as a tool for delivering beneficial

microbes to agricultural crops.
• It discusses the benefits of plant-beneficial microbes (PBMs) and the
challenges of delivering them to crops.
• Seed coating is a promising method for delivering PBMs because it
allows for precise application of small amounts of inoculum.
 Seed Coating: A Tool for Delivering
Beneficial Microbes to Agricultural Crops
Inês Rocha, Ying Ma, Pablo Souza-Alonso, Miroslav Vosátka, Helena Freitas
and Rui S. Oliveira

• The authors review the different types of seed coating and the variety of
PBMs successfully applied using this method.
• They also discuss the potential benefits of seed coating for crop growth,
yield, and protection against pathogens.
• Overall, the authors conclude that seed coating is a promising tool for
delivering PBMs to agricultural crops.
• Still, more research is needed to address the challenges of scaling up
and developing effective formulations.
 Seed Coating: A Tool for Delivering
Beneficial Microbes to Agricultural Crops
Inês Rocha, Ying Ma, Pablo Souza-Alonso, Miroslav Vosátka, Helena Freitas
and Rui S. Oliveira

Here are some of the key points from the paper:

• PBMs can improve crop growth, yield, and protection against
pathogens.
• Seed coating is a promising method for delivering PBMs to crops.
• There are different types of seed coating and a variety of PBMs that
have been successfully applied using this method.
• Seed coating has the potential to improve crop production in a
sustainable way.
Introduction
• Agriculture is a major sector of the global economy,
providing employment for billions of people and
feeding the world's population.
• However, current agricultural practices are
unsustainable, leading to environmental degradation
and climate change.
• Plant beneficial microbes (PBMs) offer a natural
alternative to conventional agrochemicals, helping to
improve crop yields and resilience while reducing
environmental impact.
• Seed coating is a promising tool for delivering PBMs to
crops, enabling precise and cost-effective application.
What are
PBMs?
• PBMs are microorganisms that live in association
with plants and provide them with benefits such
as:
⚬ Increased nutrient uptake
⚬ Enhanced stress tolerance
⚬ Protection from pests and diseases
• PBMs can be bacteria, fungi, or yeasts.
• Some common examples of PBMs include:
⚬ Rhizobia (nitrogen-fixing bacteria)
⚬ Mycorrhizal fungi (help plants absorb water
and nutrients)
⚬ Bacillus subtilis (promotes plant growth and
protects against diseases)
Benefits of Seed
Coating
• Precise application of PBMs, requiring
less inoculant than other delivery
methods
• Protection of PBMs from harsh
environmental conditions
• Improved seed quality and
germination
• Increased crop yields and resilience
Types of Seed
Coating
• Seed dressing: Application of a thin
layer of dry powder to the seed surface
• Film coating: Application of a liquid
coating that dries to form a thin film
• Pelleting: Application of a layer of
inert material (e.g., clay, vermiculite)
to the seed surface
Microbial Seed
Coating in Practice
• Microbial seed coating is a relatively simple process that can be
done on a small or large scale.
• The specific steps involved will vary depending on the type of
seed coating being used and the type of microbial inoculant.
• However, the general steps are as follows:
o Prepare the seed inoculant.
o Apply the inoculant to the seed surface using a seed coating
machine.
o Dry the coated seeds.
o Store the coated seeds until they are ready to be planted.
Effectiveness of
Seed Coating
• Numerous studies have shown that seed coating is an
effective way to deliver PBMs to crops.
• Seed coating has been shown to improve crop yields,
resilience, and quality in a wide range of crops, including
cereals, legumes, vegetables, and fruits.
• For example, a study by Accinelli et al. (2018a) found
that seed coating with a mixture of two PBMs (Bacillus
subtilis and Mycorrhiza) increased corn yields by up to
15%.
Challenges and
Future Prospects
Challenges:
• Developing seed coating materials that
are compatible with a wide range of
PBMs and seed types.
• Ensuring the viability of PBMs after
seed coating and storage.
• Scaling up seed coating technology for
large-scale application.
Challenges and
Future Prospects
Future prospects:
• Development of new seed coating
materials and formulations that are more
efficient and effective.
• Integration of seed coating with other
precision agriculture technologies to
further improve crop yields and
sustainability.
PLANT
BENEFICIAL
MICROBES
The term PBM, which refers to microorganisms
that support plant establishment, growth, and
development through direct or indirect
mechanisms, is of paramount significance.
In this review, the primary focus is on soil
microorganisms, comprising bacteria and fungi,
with special emphasis on plant growth-promoting
bacteria (PGPB), arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM)
fungi, and Trichoderma. These microorganisms are
crucial as microbial inoculants in agroecosystems.
BACTERIA
• Bacteria are the most abundant
microorganisms in the rhizosphere, the
zone of soil surrounding plant roots.
• Many bacteria have beneficial effects on
plant growth and development.
• These beneficial bacteria are called
plant growth-promoting bacteria
(PGPB).
• PGPB can act as biofertilizers,
phytostimulators, rhizoremediators,
stress bioalleviators, biomodifiers, or
biological control agents
(BCAs)/biopesticides.
Direct mechanisms of action of PGPB

• Facilitation of nutrient acquisition: PGPB can help plants acquire

essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. For
example, some PGPB can fix atmospheric nitrogen, while others can
solubilize phosphorus or potassium from the soil.
• Synthesis of phytohormones: PGPB can synthesize phytohormones,
which are plant growth regulators that can promote plant growth and
development. For example, some PGPBs can produce indole-3-acetic
acid (IAA), which is a root growth hormone.
Direct mechanisms of action of PGPB

• Production of ammonia, organic acids, and 1-aminocyclopropane-

1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase: PGPB can produce ammonia,
organic acids, and ACC deaminase, which can improve plant
growth and development by various mechanisms. For example,
ammonia can be used by plants as a source of nitrogen, while
organic acids can help to solubilize nutrients and ACC deaminase
can reduce the levels of ethylene, a plant hormone that can inhibit
plant growth under stress conditions.
Indirect mechanisms of action of PGPB
• Biological control against phytopathogens: PGPB can suppress plant
diseases by competing with phytopathogens for nutrients and space,
producing antibiotics or other inhibitory compounds, or inducing
systemic resistance in plants.
• Activation of induced systemic resistance (ISR): ISR is a plant defense
mechanism that is activated by PGPB and other beneficial
microorganisms. ISR helps plants to resist a wide range of pathogens
and pests.
Rhizobia
• Rhizobia is a group of bacteria that can form symbiotic relationships
with leguminous plants, such as soybeans, peas, and beans.
• Rhizobia bacteria colonize the roots of leguminous plants and form
nodules, where they fix atmospheric nitrogen.
• The fixed nitrogen is then used by the plant for growth and
development.
• Rhizobia can also produce phytohormones, siderophores, and hydrogen
cyanide, which can promote plant growth and suppress plant diseases.
FUNGI
• Fungi are a diverse group of organisms that play important roles in
ecosystems around the world. Some fungi are pathogens that can
cause diseases in plants and animals, but many other fungi are
beneficial to plants.
• Plant-beneficial microorganisms (PBMs) are microorganisms that
associate with plants and provide them with benefits such as
increased nutrient uptake, protection from pathogens, and improved
tolerance to stress.
• Two important PBMs are arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and
Trichoderma. AM fungi form symbiotic associations with the roots
of most terrestrial plants. Trichoderma is a free-living fungus that is
found in the rhizosphere and soil.
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi
• AM fungi are a group of fungi that form symbiotic associations with
the roots of most terrestrial plants. These symbiotic associations are
called arbuscular mycorrhizas.
• AM fungi are important for plant growth and health. They help plants
to absorb nutrients from the soil, especially phosphorus. AM fungi also
provide plants with protection from pathogens and improved tolerance
to stress.
Benefits of AM Fungi

• Increased nutrient uptake, especially phosphorus

• Protection from pathogens
• Improved tolerance to stress
• Improved soil aggregation
• Increased water acquisition
Trichoderma
• Trichoderma is a free-living fungus that is found in the rhizosphere and
soil. Trichoderma is well known for its ability to produce a wide range of
antibiotics and to parasitize other fungi.
• Trichoderma is a beneficial fungus for plants. It can help to improve
plant growth and development, increase nutrient uptake, and trigger
induced systemic resistance (ISR). ISR is a plant defense mechanism that
is activated by Trichoderma and other beneficial microorganisms.
Benefits of Trichoderma

• Improved plant growth and development

• Increased nutrient uptake
• Triggered induced systemic resistance (ISR)
• Protection from pathogens
• Inactivation of toxic compounds in the root zone
MICROBIAL
INOCULATION
Microbes are tiny organisms that live all around
us, including in the soil.
Some microbes are beneficial to plants and can
help them to grow stronger and healthier.
Microbial inoculation is a process of applying
beneficial microorganisms to a soil or plant
environment.
Methods of Microbial Inoculation

• Direct soil application: This involves adding the microbes directly

to the soil, either before or after planting.
• Seed inoculation: This involves coating the seeds with the
microbes before planting.
• Foliar spray: This involves spraying the microbes onto the leaves
of the plants.
• Root dipping: This involves dipping the roots of the plants in a
solution of microbes before planting.
 Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Microbial
Inoculation Methods

• Direct soil application is the most effective way to inoculate a

large area of land, but it can be expensive and time-consuming.
• Seed inoculation is a more cost-effective and efficient way to
inoculate plants, but it is not as effective as direct soil application.
• Foliar spray and root dipping are the least effective methods of
microbial inoculation, but they can be used to inoculate individual
plants or small areas.
Example: N2Africa Project
• The N2Africa project is a good example of how microbial inoculation
can be used to improve crop yields in developing countries. The project
promoted the use of rhizobia to inoculate legume crops in sub-Saharan
Africa. Rhizobia are bacteria that can fix nitrogen from the air, making
it available to plants.
• The N2Africa project resulted in significant increases in crop yields for
farmers who participated in the project. It also helped to raise
awareness of the benefits of microbial inoculation among farmers and
policymakers.
SEED COATING WITH
BENEFICIAL MICROBES
• Application of exogenous materials to seeds to improve appearance
and handling characteristics (e.g., seed weight and size)
• Delivery of active compounds to protect seeds from phytopathogens
and increase germination and plant growth (e.g., plant growth
regulators, micronutrients, and microbial inoculants)
• Used to apply colors and tracers, protectants, soil adjuvants,
compounds that stimulate germination, growth, and stress resistance,
and macronutrients and micronutrients
SEED COATING WITH
BENEFICIAL MICROBES
• Seed coating with PBM allows a precise application of minor
amounts of inocula at the seed–soil interface, ensuring that the
PBMs are readily accessible at germination and early
development plant stages, stimulating healthy and rapid
establishment, and consequently maximizing crop production
Seed Coating Ingredients
• Binders
o Natural polymers: methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, gum arabic, polysaccharide
Pelgel
o Synthetic polymers: polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinylpyrrolidone
• Fillers
o Peat
o Talc
o Lime
o Biochar
o Chitosan
• Active ingredients
o Nutrients
o Protectants
o Plant beneficial microorganisms (PBMs)
Seed Coating Types

• Seed dressing: the application of finely milled solids dusted onto

the surface of seeds in small amounts
• Film coating: the application of a thin layer of external material
with little change of the seed shape, size, and weight
• Pelleting: the application of fillers and liquid binders to the seed
that may cause a significant increase in weight and volume
Seed Coating Equipment

• Rotating pan: the most common device used for seed coating
• Fluidized or spouted bed: used for film coating and encrusting
• Rotary coater or rotor–stator: used for most seed coating types
Additional Notes
• The selection of the proper type and concentration of binder and filler is
crucial for seed germination, plant development, and viability of the
applied microbial inoculant.
• Other characteristics such as availability, cost, origin, and environmental
impacts should also be taken into consideration when choosing the most
adequate coating materials.
• The majority of scientific publications disclose scarce information
regarding equipment and methodological details, with a considerable
number reporting seed coating procedures performed by specialized
companies.
Formulation and Microbial Survival

1. Three basic elements:

o Selected microorganism
o Suitable carrier (solid or liquid)
o Additives
2. Factors affecting the wider use of seed coating:
o Incorrect inoculant formulation
o Limited shelf-life of inoculant viability on the seed
surface
Formulation and Microbial Survival

3. Impact of formulation:
• Microbial survival during product elaboration, storage,
and application
• Efficiency once applied on the target plant
• Economic feasibility of the application
4. Research on formulation:
• Limited research conducted on the formulation of
microbial inoculants
Formulation and Microbial Survival
5. Examples of successful formulations:
• Peat carrier material for seed coating with Pseudomonas antagonists
• Biochar-based seed coating with Bradyrhizobium japonicum inoculum
• Synthetic beads made of sodium alginate and skim milk for immobilizing
bacterial inoculants
6. Challenges:
• Maintaining the viability of PBM coated onto seeds
• Shelf-life of seeds coated with microbial inoculants is still an overlooked topic
in the literature
Delivery of Beneficial Microbes

• Most studies on microbial seed coating have been conducted with

plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB), rhizobia, and
Trichoderma.
• Pseudomonas and Bacillus are the most commonly applied PGPB,
mainly for plant growth promotion and biocontrol.
• Co-coating of Pseudomonas and Bacillus can increase seed vigor
and decrease infection levels of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae in
rice and enhance canola height and biomass.
Delivery of Beneficial Microbes

• Rhizobium has also been successfully coated singly and in consortia

with other PBM, which resulted in positive effects on plant growth
and yield.
• However, the application of certain ingredients for seed coating can
limit the positive role of Rhizobium in plants. For example, Adams
and Lowther (1970) found that coating inoculated seeds with lime
had little or no effect on clover nodulation or yield, and in fact,
seemed to reduce rhizobial survival.
Delivery of Beneficial Microbes

• Similarly, the application of certain fungicides to seeds can be

harmful to Rhizobium spp.
• The potential of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi inoculation via
seed coating to enhance plant performance is still poorly explored.
• On the other hand, Trichoderma shows great ability to increase seed
germination and plant growth, and control pathogenic agents.
Delivery of Beneficial Microbes

• Combining different PBM in consortia can improve plant growth and

performance. However, only 19% of studies used seed coating with
more than one type of PBM.
• Singh et al. (2014) developed chickpea seed coating with different
combinations of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Trichoderma harzianum,
and Mesorhizobium sp. and found that the consortium led to superior
plant growth and higher amounts of phenolic compounds in chickpea
grown under biotic stress when compared to their single inoculations
and untreated control.
Delivery of Beneficial Microbes

• Equally, significantly reduced wilt incidence caused by Ralstonia

solanacearum and higher fruit yield were observed when talc-based
consortium formulation of Trichoderma parareesei + Pseudomonas
fluorescens + Bacillus subtilis + Azotobacter chroococcum was
applied onto tomato seeds.
Delivery of Beneficial Microbes
• Besides, the co-inoculation can also have a negative impact on plant
performance. For example, Diniz et al. (2006) found that co-inoculation of
Trichoderma spp., B. bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, and AM fungi greatly
reduced the germination of lettuce seeds.
• Sometimes single inoculation can perform better than co-inoculation with several
microbes. For instance, Ma et al. (2019) reported no benefit of R. irregularis
applied via seed coating in combination with soil inoculated Pseudomonas
libanensis on cowpea performance. On the contrary, when singly inoculated, P.
libanensis was effective in enhancing cowpea biomass and seed yield.
Delivery of Beneficial Microbes
• So far, it is not clear whether microbial consortia applied via seed coating can be
advantageous. The most appropriate microbial combinations according to the
plant species and growing conditions should be selected, and factors that affect
the functioning of microbial consortia and their survival onto coated seeds must
be investigated.
Comparison of Seed Coating With Other Methods

• Seed coating is more effective in controlling the reproduction

of root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita and increasing
plant height, and fresh and dry root and shoot weight in
soybean compared to soil drench application.
• Seed coating delivers similar root AM colonization as soil
inoculation in maize, despite the 20-fold difference in the
amount of applied inocula.
Comparison of Seed Coating With Other Methods

• Seed coating with K-165 xanthan gum and talc mixture is the
most effective treatment in reducing disease symptoms and
increasing plant height and fresh weight in cotton compared to
sodium alginate-Pyrax encapsulated treatments.
• Foliar application followed by soil drenching is the most
effective inoculation method for B. bassiana in cotton.
Comparison of Seed Coating With Other Methods

• Seed coating is less effective than foliar application followed

by soil drenching and seed priming for Serratia plymuthica
inoculation against Verticillium dahlia in canola.
• Seed coating is less effective than seed priming for
Pseudomonas sp. MN12 inoculation in combination with zinc
(Zn) to improve grain yield and grain Zn biofortification of
bread wheat.
AGRICULTURAL
APPLICATIONS
Microbial seed coating can be used to improve
crop productivity in a wide range of agricultural
crops, including cereals, fruit and vegetables, oil
and seed pulses, fiber crops, and forage crops. In
most studies, microbial seed coating has been
shown to promote crop growth or biocontrol
phytopathogens.
Crop Production and Nutrition
By applying beneficial microbes to the surface of seeds, microbial seed coating
can help plants to:
• Grow faster and stronger
• Produce higher yields
• Take up more nutrients from the soil
• Better withstand abiotic and biotic stresses
• Produce crops with higher nutritional value
Microbial seed coating is particularly useful in low-input agriculture, as it can
help to reduce the need for fertilizers and pesticides.
Examples of research studies demonstrating the benefits of
microbial seed coating:
• A study by Rouphael et al. (2017) found that microbial seed coating with a
consortium of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and Trichoderma
atroviride improved both plant yield and nutritional value in two artichoke
cultivars.
• A study by Colla et al. (2015a) found that microbial seed coating with the
same consortium of AMF and T. atroviride significantly improved seedling
growth, yield, and grain quality in winter wheat.
Examples of research studies demonstrating the benefits of
microbial seed coating:
• A study by Colla et al. (2015b) found that microbial seed coating with the
same consortium of AMF and T. atroviride increased shoot and root dry
weight in a variety of greenhouse and field-grown vegetable crops.
• A study by Oliveira et al. (2016a) found that microbial seed coating with
the AMF Rhizophagus irregularis increased dry weight, nutritional
contents, and yield of wheat under reduced fertilization
Examples of research studies demonstrating the benefits of
microbial seed coating:
• A study by Rocha et al. (2019a) found that microbial seed coating with R.
irregularis resulted in significant increases in shoot nutrient concentration
of maize grown without fertilization.

Overall, microbial seed coating is a promising technology for improving crop

production and nutrition, particularly in low-input agriculture.
Biocontrol
Benefits of using BCA and SAR inducers in agricultural crops:
• Can reduce the use of fungicides.
• Can generally reduce the severity of tan spot, increasing plant height and
weight in comparison with control.
• Can be an alternative to maintain crops healthy and vigorous.
• The right combination of SAR inducers applied via seed coating with
reduced rates of appropriate fungicides is a promising option for farmers.
Biocontrol
• Can be comparable to fungicides in plant disease control.
• Can be used to reduce the amount of fungicide necessary to efficiently
suppress disease in a susceptible cultivar.
• In some cases, the synergetic effect of BCA combined with reduced levels
of fungicides can suppress disease equally to a fungicide application at full
strength.
• Coating BCA onto agricultural crops can also be a viable, economical, and
environmentally friendly strategy for weed control.
Biocontrol
Example of a successful combination of BCA and fungicide:
• A treatment combining T. harzianum coated onto seeds with 1%
methylcellulose solution and soil drench of fungicide carbendazim was
proven to be more effective than individual treatment of the fungicide or
the biocontrol agent.
Biocontrol
Example of a successful BCA seed coating for weed control:
• Coating sorghum seeds with Fusarium oxysporum and gum arabic was an
effective way to control the root parasitic weed Striga. Reductions of
healthy emerged Striga shoots of 81% and 77% in sterilized and non-
sterilized soil, respectively, were observed.
Abiotic Stress Tolerance
• Microbial seed coating with plant beneficial microbes (PBMs) is a promising strategy
for improving crop resistance to abiotic stress.
• PBMs can help crops to tolerate abiotic stresses such as water deficit, salinity, and
drought.
• Recent studies have shown that seed coating with Bacillus spp., Paenibacillus
lentimorbus, and Pseudomonas putida can improve crop growth, yield, and
physiological responses under abiotic stress conditions.
• Microbial seed coating formulations that include sodium alginate and calcium chloride
may be particularly effective in promoting plant adaptation and protection under
abiotic stress.
Bio-Priming

• A process of biological seed treatment that combines seed

hydration and seed inoculation with PBM to accomplish seed
protection against soil-borne pathogens, improving germination,
seedling establishment, and vegetative growth.
• Commonly used for biocontrol purposes.
• The inoculation of PBM in bio-priming can be done either by
soaking seeds into a microbial suspension or by seed coating.
Benefits of bio-priming

• Increased germination rate

• Reduced incidence of seed-borne diseases
• Increased seedling growth and vigor
• Improved crop yield
Limitations and Inconsistencies
• Microbial seed coating (PBM) on crop yield can be of short-term or null according
to the growing conditions.
• Not all published research shows positive effects on plant performance of PBM
inoculation via seed coating.
• No beneficial effect on crop productivity, nodulation, and biological N fixation, no
economic gains when compared with fungicide application, and reduced biocontrol
effect of inoculated seeds have been reported.
• Inconsistency of field performance can be one of the main restraints for the wide
application of seeds coated with PBM.
• The efficacy of microbial application methods may also vary according to the
experimental scale.
Limitations and Inconsistencies
• PBM can improve growth and yield at low levels of fertilizer.
• PBM can improve growth, yield, and nutrient use efficiency of wheat under reduced
levels of NPK.
• PBM can be successfully used for biocontrol of pre-harvest seed infection by
Aspergillus flavus.
• Microbial seed coating is becoming more popular, and the market is expected to
grow in the coming years.
• North American and Asian countries have the highest number of studies on PBM
seed coating.
CONCLUSIONS AND
FUTURE
OPPORTUNITIES
Microbial seed coating is a promising technology
for the delivery of microbial inoculants to
agricultural crops. It has the potential to improve
yield, quality, and stress resistance of crops
while reducing the need for fertilizers and
pesticides. However, more research is needed to
develop feasible delivery systems and to
optimize inoculant formulation and seed coating
methods.
CONCLUSIONS AND
FUTURE
OPPORTUNITIES
Challenges in microbial seed coating include:
• Developing inoculant formulations that ensure high
survival and viability of microbes on coated seeds
• Selecting coating materials that do not hinder
germination or reduce shelf life of coated seeds
• Optimizing seed coating methods for different crops and
microbes
• Developing effective combinations of multiple PBM
• Comparing seed coating with other inoculation methods
to identify the most suitable method
CONCLUSIONS AND
FUTURE
OPPORTUNITIES
• Formulations that best adjust to local growing
conditions and agricultural practices should be
explored, including native strains under local
conditions and agricultural practices.
• Coating materials (e.g., carriers and binders) that
improve microbial survival and performance of
the target crop, and that are compatible with a
wide range of inoculants, should be developed.
CONCLUSIONS AND
FUTURE
OPPORTUNITIES
• New eco-friendly ingredients (e.g., compost;
residues from forest and agriculture) with
benefits to crops and soil should be considered
for novel seed coating microbial formulations.
• Studies on the economic viability of seed
coating, including spending and gains (e.g.,
increased yield, reduction of fertilizers/pesticides
and irrigation costs), should be conducted.
CONCLUSIONS AND
FUTURE
OPPORTUNITIES
• The roles of PBM in alleviating abiotic stress
conditions (i.e., drought and salinity) of crops are
promising lines of research for seed coating.
• Seed coating can be a microbial delivery tool for
ecosystem restoration, conservation, or reintroduction
of native plant species.
• Overall, microbial seed coating is a promising tool for
sustainable agriculture, but further development and
investment are needed to allow its wider application
and integration in agricultural management strategies.
Reference:
Rocha I, Ma Y, Souza-Alonso P, Vosátka M, Freitas H and
Oliveira RS (2019) Seed Coating: A Tool for Delivering
Beneficial Microbes to Agricultural Crops. Front. Plant Sci.
10:1357. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2019.01357