Sustainable seed coatings from food waste boost plant growth and reproduction

Jenn Hoskins
28th January, 2026

Sustainable seed coatings from food waste boost plant growth and reproduction

At harvest, wheat (Triticum aestivum) plants grown from seeds treated with agro-industrial byproducts showed significantly enhanced yield parameters, with wine pomace and garlic peel extracts increasing spike length (c) and seed weight per spike (e) to levels comparable with the chemical control.

Image adapted from: Jayaseelan et al. / CC BY (Source)

Key Findings

  • Wheat seeds treated with agricultural byproducts (like wheat bran and garlic peels) showed improved growth compared to untreated seeds
  • Soaking seeds in these byproducts or coating them with a natural polymer boosted root development, potentially enhancing nutrient and water uptake
  • Wine pomace treatment significantly increased grain weight, suggesting a promising alternative to chemical seed coatings for improved wheat yields
Conventional agriculture relies heavily on synthetic chemical seed treatments to protect young plants and boost yields. However, these chemicals pose environmental and health risks, prompting a search for safer alternatives. Researchers at Ben-Gurion University and the Hebrew University[1] have investigated the potential of using agricultural byproducts – materials left over from food processing – as a sustainable solution. These byproducts are often discarded as waste, yet they contain valuable compounds that could benefit plant growth. The study focused on three readily available agro-industrial byproducts/wastes (AIBWs): wheat bran (WB), wine pomace (WP), and brewer’s spent grain (BSG). These materials are already used in animal feed and even human food, indicating a low risk of toxicity. The core idea was to see if soaking wheat seeds in water extracts of these byproducts, or coating them with a biopolymer containing the byproducts, could improve their growth and reproductive success. Initial laboratory tests showed promising results. Seeds soaked in AIBW extracts grew better after germination compared to untreated seeds. Specifically, a higher percentage of seeds soaked in wheat bran and Celest Top (a commercial chemical seed coating used as a control) developed more seminal roots – the primary roots that anchor the plant and absorb nutrients – than untreated seeds. This suggests that compounds within the AIBWs were actively promoting root development. To confirm these findings, the researchers conducted experiments in a net-house, a controlled greenhouse environment. The results mirrored the lab tests. Seeds treated with AIBW extracts, as well as the chemical Celest Top coating, produced significantly higher grain weight per spike – the flowering part of the wheat plant where seeds develop – compared to untreated seeds. Wine pomace showed the most substantial improvement, with a 34.3% increase in grain weight. Further investigation revealed changes in the metabolic profile of seeds from treated plants. Notably, the level of the amino acid tryptophan was increased. Amino acids are essential building blocks for plant proteins, and tryptophan plays a role in plant growth regulation and stress response. This suggests that the AIBW treatments were influencing the plant’s internal biochemistry in a beneficial way. To explore a more practical application method, the team created a seed coating using carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), a nature-sourced polysaccharide, combined with wine pomace (CMC-GP). This coating also enhanced root growth, demonstrating a 2-fold increase in fresh weight and a 1.5-fold increase in dry weight compared to untreated seeds and seeds coated with CMC alone. This research builds upon growing interest in utilizing food waste for sustainable agriculture[2]. The sheer volume of food waste generated globally – projected to exceed 120 billion tonnes by 2020[3] – presents both an environmental challenge and an opportunity. Recovering valuable compounds like polyphenols from these wastes[3] can offer a circular economy approach, reducing waste and providing resources for other industries. The use of brewer’s spent grain in food applications also aligns with this trend[2], as it demonstrates the potential for valorizing byproducts that were previously considered waste. The study from Ben-Gurion University and the Hebrew University shows that AIBWs offer a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional chemical seed coatings. Applying these byproducts through simple soaking or a biopolymer coating can improve wheat growth and reproduction, potentially reducing reliance on hazardous chemicals and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

AgricultureSustainabilityPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) Eco-friendly alternatives to seed chemical coating: agro-industrial byproducts as seed treatments with long-term effects on growth and reproduction

Published 24th January, 2026

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40643-025-01000-5

Related Studies

2) Brewer's spent grain: Unveiling innovative applications in the food and packaging industry.

https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4337.70150

3) Reuse of Food Waste and Wastewater as a Source of Polyphenolic Compounds to Use as Food Additives.

https://doi.org/10.1093/jaocint/qsz025


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