Natural Products for Alternative Seed Treatment

Abstract

The demand for products with less impact on the environment and human health has restricted the use of synthetic chemicals in seed treatment against pests and pathogens. Therefore, natural products and antagonistic organisms appear as alternatives. Numerous es of success in the use of alternative practices have been reported in the seed treatment of different plant species, including equivalent effectiveness to synthetic products used conventionally. Seeds of important agricultural crops such as corn, soybeans, beans, wheat, and sorghum already have alternative products with good results. Among the most efficient products in controlling seed pests, diatomaceous earth and plant powders stand out for the control of weevils and plant extracts and essential oils for the control and repellency of various pests. Regarding the control of microorganisms, it is possible to emphasize the action of plant extracts, essential oils, and natural products of animal origin, such as chitosan and propolis, in the control of many fungal pests of seeds. Inoculation with antagonist organisms, such as Trichoderma and Bacillus, in addition to being efficient in controlling plant seed pathogens, has stimulating action during the initial plant development. However, as the advancement in alternative seed treatment is relatively recent, research is still needed to complement the existing information. Among the areas of high demand are the identification of action mechanisms on target organisms, effects of alternative treatments on physiological seed quality, product stability during seed storage and action spectrum against unwanted organisms in seeds.