Gelatin Reinforced with CNCs as Nanocomposite Matrix for Trichoderma harzianum KUEN 1585 Spores in Seed Coatings |
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| Authors: | Bianca-Ioana Dogaru Vasile Stoleru Gabriela Mihalache Sems Yonsel Maria-Cristina Popescu |
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| Institution: | 1.Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Polymers, Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Romanian Academy, 700487 Iasi, Romania;2.Department of Horticulture, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iasi University of Life Sciences, 700490 Iasi, Romania; (V.S.); (G.M.);3.Integrated Center of Environmental Science Studies in the North Eastern Region (CERNESIM), Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, 700506 Iasi, Romania;4.ORBA Biokimya San. ve Tic. A.S., Istanbul 34956, Turkey; |
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| Abstract: | Increasing interest on sustainable agriculture has led to the development of new materials which can be used as seed coating agents. In this study, a new material was developed based on gelatin film reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) which was further used as nanocomposite matrix for Trichoderma harzianum KUEN 1585 spores. The nanocomposite films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), showing the formation of new hydrogen bonds between the components with a good compatibility between them. Measurements of water contact angles and tests of water vapor sorption and swelling degree revealed an improvement in the water vapor absorption properties of the films as a result of their reinforcement with CNC. Furthermore, by adding the Trichoderma harzianum KUEN 1585 spp. in the seed coating material, the germination percentage, speed of germination and roots length of the corn seeds improved. The polymeric coating did not inhibit the growth of T. harzianum KUEN 1585, with this material being a good candidate in modern agriculture. |
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| Keywords: | gelatin cellulose nanocrystals bionanocomposite seed coating biofertilizer germination plant growth |
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