Effects of chitosan nanoparticles coating on delaying of seed soybean (Gycine max) deterioration

Abstract

High-quality seed is always demanded by farmers and may result in up to a 30% increase in crop yields. One of the major constraints of soybean cultivation is that soybean seeds quickly deteriorate in storage due to high lipid and protein content. Coating technology with various coating formulas is needed to extend seeds’ shelf life. This research aimed to determine the effects of CSNPs (chitosan-wax nanoparticles) and CS (chitosan-wax) as active coating ingredients in delaying the Deterioration of soybean seed quality. Two varieties of soybean seed and three coating treatments (control, CS, and CSNPs) were used during storage for six months. Each treatment was replicated four times, and the observation was conducted monthly. The result showed that coating treatment could significantly suppress the increase in water content and the decrease in protein and fat levels compared to the control. Moreover, the coating also suppresses the respiration rate, ethylene content, and MDA concentration during storage, especially for the Grobogan variety. The coated seed showed a higher vigor index and germination than the controls, particularly in the Dega variety. The CSNPs performed better than CS and control for all the experimental parameters. The germination percentage of the Dega variety soybean seeds after six months of storage at CS and CSNPs coating treatments were 93.33 and 92.67%, respectively, much higher than the Grobogan variety. The initial mositure content much influenced the seed’s physical, chemical, and viability during storage.