title: Role of nano-range amphiphilic polymers in seed quality enhancement of soybean and imidacloprid retention capacity on seed coatings.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nano-size and wide-range solubility of amphiphilic polymers (having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic blocks) can improve uniformity in seed coatings. An investigation was carried out to assess the positive effect of amphiphilic polymers over hydrophilic or hydrophobic polymers as seed coating agents and pesticide carriers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Amphiphilic polymers with 127.5-354 nm micelle size were synthesized in the laboratory using polyethylene glycols and aliphatic di-acids. After 6 months of storage, germination of uncoated soybean seeds decreased drastically from 97.80 to 81.55%, while polymer-coated seeds showed 89.44-95.92% germination. Similarly, vigour index-1 was reduced from 3841.10 to 2813.06 for control seeds but ranged from 3375.59 to 3844.60 for polymer-coated seeds after 6 months. The developed imidacloprid formulations retained more pesticide on soybean seed coatings than did a commercial formulation (Gaucho(®) 600 FS). The time taken for 50% release of imidacloprid from seed coatings in water was 7.12-9.11 h for the developed formulations and 0.41 h for the commercial formulation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nano-range amphiphilic polymers can be used to protect soybean seeds from ageing. Formulations as seed treatments may produce improved and sustained efficacy with minimum environmental contamination. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
authors.affiliation: Division of Agricultural Chemicals, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India.
authors.forename: Totan
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5971-1008
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Adak
authors.affiliation: Division of Agricultural Chemicals, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India.
authors.forename: Jitendra
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Division of Agricultural Chemicals, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India.
authors.forename: Najam A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Shakil
authors.affiliation: National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi, 110012, India.
authors.forename: Sushil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pandey
mesh_terms: D016573:Agrochemicals / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry*; D000465:Algorithms; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development; D003998:Dicarboxylic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control; D018525:Germination; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000737:chemistry*; D007194:India; D007306:Insecticides / Q000737:chemistry*; D008823:Micelles; D008970:Molecular Weight; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry*; D000073943:Neonicotinoids; D009574:Nitro Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D010539:Permeability; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development; D012995:Solubility; D013025:Glycine max / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development; D013499:Surface Properties; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry*; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D016573:Agrochemicals; D003998:Dicarboxylic Acids; D007093:Imidazoles; D007306:Insecticides; D008823:Micelles; D000073943:Neonicotinoids; D009574:Nitro Compounds; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D014867:Water; C082359:imidacloprid; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols
keywords: amphiphilic polymers; germination; kinetics; retention; seed vigour