Biological seed treatments match chemical products in winter wheat trials

Romanian scientists said three-year field trials showed that biological seed treatments for winter wheat can deliver effectiveness comparable to conventional chemical programmes. The research was carried out under a project of Romania’s Ministry of Agriculture.

The best results were recorded for products based on bacterial consortia of Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens, as well as formulations containing chitosan and brown algae extracts. According to the researchers, their effectiveness in controlling root rots reached 89–92% compared with the standard chemical treatment.

Biological seed treatments also had a positive effect on crop development. Winter wheat treated with the biological products emerged 2–3 days earlier, while a stronger root system supported better overwintering.

Final yields in the trial plots were either in line with chemical programmes or 3–4% higher. At the same time, soils maintained higher activity of beneficial nitrogen-fixing and phosphate-mobilising bacteria.

The authors said biological seed treatments can now be considered not only a niche option but also a technology suitable for broader use in winter wheat production, particularly as the EU tightens restrictions on certain chemical active ingredients.

Tags: Romania, plant protection products