Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of agriculture and specifically to the field of seed priming. More specifically the invention relates to a composition for seed priming that provides an convenient, efficient and effective treatment of variety of seeds of agricultural crops.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A. Importance of bio fertilizer in agricultural practices: Nitrogen is a major element for plant growth and production, chlorophyll is the most important pigment needed for photosynthesis, amino acids are key building blocks for proteins. Atmosphere have 78 % nitrogen in gaseous form but cannot be used by plants directly. While some microbes have the ability to convert it into available ammonia form. Plants can only utilize reduced forms of this elemental nitrogen. Plants acquire different forms of nitrogen by the release of compounds during organic matter decomposition, the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into the ammoniac form by natural processes and biological nitrogen fixation (Vance 2001). Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) discovered by Beijerinck in 1901 is carried out by a specialized group of prokaryotes. These organisms utilize the enzyme nitrogenase to catalyse the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen (N2) to ammonia (NH3). Plants can readily assimilate NH3 to produce the N2 and NH3 biomolecules. These prokaryotes include aquatic organisms, such as cyanobacteria, free-living soil bacteria such as Azotobacter, bacteria associative relationships with plants such as Azospirillum and most importantly symbiotic association bacteria with legumes and other plants such as Rhizobium and Bradyrhizobium (Postgate 1982). These microbes can fix about 25-30 kg of nitrogen/hectare/year. This is an eco-friendly approach and balancing the nutrients with the biological method.
Phosphorus is the master key element required for plant growth. Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) have diverse mechanisms that aid in the solubilisation of fixed or unavailable phosphorus. The mechanism of solubilisation of mineral phosphate by phosphate solubilizing bacteria is the release of low molecular weight organic acids such as formic, acetic, propinoic, lactic, glycolic, fumaric, and succinic acids and acidic phosphatases like phytase synthesized by microorganisms in soil. To improve the plant growth, yield and to minimize P loss from soils, the ability of a microorganisms converting insoluble forms into soluble forms for phosphorus is an important trait the genera Bacillus and Pseudomonas managing in soil phosphorus solubilisation and balancing of nutrients. Potential phosphate solubilizing microorganisms have been formulated as bio fertilizer and extensively applied in fields for the promotion of plant growth. Interestingly, the property of phosphate solubilisation has also found tremendous application in the field of phytoremediation.
Potassium (Kalium) is also as an essential macronutrient and a major constituent within all living cells. About 98% of the potassium in the earth’s crust exists in insoluble forms as rocks and silicate minerals, resulting in very low concentrations of soluble potassium in the soil for plant growth and development. Naturally, soils contain K in larger amounts than any other nutrients. However, most of the K is unavailable for plant uptake. There are certain microorganisms which use a number of biological processes to make potassium available from unavailable forms. Potassium-mobilizing bacteria (KMB) can be used as a promising approach to increase K availability in soils, thus playing an important role for crop establishment under K-limited soils. the major mechanism of K mineral solubilisation is by production the organic and inorganic acids and production of protons (Maurya et al., 2014). The various types of organic acids such as oxalic acid, tartaric acids, gluconic acid, 2-ketogluconic acid, citric acid, malic acid, succinic acid, lactic acid, propionic acid, glycolic acid, malonic acid, fumaric acid, etc, have been reported in KMB, which are effective in releasing K from K-bearing minerals (Zarjani et al., 2013). Microbial production of organic acid, siderophores and phytohormones, which are helping to release bounded form of the micronutrients like zinc, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, copper etc, make these nutrients chelate by siderophores and easily available form to plants. Microbes play a vital role in soil nutrient recycling and enhances the biodiversity of the soils.
Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) beneficial effects of these rhizobacteria on plant growth can be direct or indirect mechanism. The root depended bacteria conditions under which bacteria live in the rhizosphere. To exert their beneficial effects, bacteria usually must colonize the root surface efficiently. Therefore, bacterial traits required for root colonization, several mechanisms by which microbes can act beneficially on plant growth. Such examples of direct mechanism plant growth promotion that include bio fertilization, stimulation of root growth, rhizoremediation and plant stress management. Indirect mechanisms involved in biological control by which rhizobacteria along with promote plant growth reducing the level of disease, that include antibiosis, induction of systemic resistance and competition for space and nutrients. These PGPR produce secondary metabolites like polyketides, volatile compounds peptides, hydrolytic enzymes and exopolysaccharide. These secondary metabolite compounds help to avoid the soil borne diseases activity in soil.
Therefore, application of bio fertilizer not only enhance plant growth and yield but also can also reduce the use of agrochemicals and support eco-friendly crop production. These technologies are becoming vital in modern day agricultural practices. The changing scenario of agricultural practices and environmental hazards associated with chemical fertilizers demands more significant role of bio fertilizers in coming years.
B. Carrier material in bio-fertilizer and also act as coating agent/adjuvant: A cellulosic material having fibrils create a film on seed coat. In seed treatment, cellulose fibrils can reduce dusting and thus make the handling of the treated seeds safer. These cellulosic fibrils entrapping with biological agent and compatible with each other. Quick dispersion in water and make solution uniformity and stability of product. Cellulosic material easily bio-degradable in soil by enzymes interaction its eco-friendly in nature. In addition, there is a potential in improving the flow of the seeds during sowing in machines and planting. cellulose fibrils are the natural alternative to the synthetic polymers in dust control. Seed treatments are an essential part of today’s agriculture and it means applying bio fertilizer and biological products on the seeds surface before sowing or planting. In this regard an effective way to apply the bio fertilizer products and can reduce the germination loss and primary pest and disease attack.
C. Indicator: An indicator apple green colour (Food grade colour) used. Prepared product having milky white colour, so as to differentiate seed priming that can be observed by indicator. This indicator is food grade material dissolving in the product make product green colour. Apart from the colour differentiation indicator, it has no role of plant growth activity.
Conventional seed treatment method have disadvantages like dust from solid product and seed coat shrinkages from liquid product. These methods also require pre-treatment of seed to be carried in advance of its use, as treatment with available compositions would require substantial time for drying in shade after being treatment with the available composition. Thus, existing technologies, do not provide a simplified solution to requirement of nutrients and priming and also that available techniques are not efficient. Thus, there remains an immediate and unmet need to solve such associated problems. Inventors of instant invention have focused on application of bio fertilizer through a seed priming composition for attaining uniform coating of bio fertilizer, reduced dusting and reduced shrinking of treated seeds. The inventors of present invention have used a specific selection of bio fertilizer combined with bio-polymer to formulate a seed priming composition, which results in uniform and dust free seed coating, without any damage to seed coat and also capable of quickly drying.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a seed priming composition for improved germination and seedling growth, said composition comprising of: i) a nitrogen fixing bacteria selected from the group consisting of Azosprillum sp., Rhizobium sp., and Brady rhizobium sp.; ii) a phosphate solubilizing bacteria selected from group consisting of Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus sp., and Pseudomonas sp.; iii) a potassium mobilizing bacteria selected from group consisting of Pseudomonas putida and Pseudomonas sp.; iv) a bio-polymer as carrier; v) optionally a preservative selected from group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), potassium meta bisulphite and sodium chloride; and vi) optionally a colour indicator.
According to one of the aspects of present invention, there is provided a seed priming composition for improved germination and seedling growth, wherein the nitrogen fixing bacteria, the phosphate solubilizing bacteria, and potassium mobilizing bacteria, collectively amounts to 75-80%.
According to one of the aspects of present invention, there is provided a seed priming composition for improved germination and seedling growth, wherein the bio-polymer is in 15-20%.
According to one of the aspects of present invention, there is provided a seed priming composition for improved germination and seedling growth, wherein the preservative is in 5-10%.
According to one of the aspects of present invention, there is provided a seed priming composition for improved germination and seedling growth, wherein the colour is in 0.5-3%.
According to one of the aspects of present invention, there is provided a seed priming composition for improved germination and seedling growth, wherein each of the nitrogen fixing bacteria, the phosphate solubilizing bacteria, and potassium mobilizing bacteria are present in 1 X 109 CFU/ml.
According to one of the aspects of present invention, there is provided a seed priming composition for improved germination and seedling growth, wherein the bio-polymer is a cellulosic material.
According to one of the aspects of present invention, there is provided a seed priming composition for improved germination and seedling growth, wherein said composition dry in 2-4 minutes upon application to seeds and results in dust free seed coating, without causing any damage to seed coat.
According to one of the aspects of present invention, there is provided a seed priming composition for improved germination and seedling growth, wherein said composition results in increased percentage of seed germination, and improved shoot, root, and bio-mass production, when applied on seeds.
According to another aspects of the present invention, there is provided a method for preparing a seed priming composition as defined in claim 1-8, wherein said method comprises of adding a nitrogen fixing bacteria, a phosphate solubilizing bacteria, a potassium mobilizing bacteria, a bio-polymer as carrier, optionally a preservative, and optionally a colour indicator in percentages as defined in claim 1-8 and mixing.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Figure 1: Scheme of preparing of seed priming composition of present invention.
Figure 2: Study showing effects of seed priming composition of present invention on shoot and root development.
Figure 3: Germination study showing effects of seed priming composition of present invention on germination percentage for different seeds.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and process techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein can be practiced and to further enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention described herein.
The inventors of present invention have used a specific selection of bio fertilizer combined with bio-polymer to formulate a seed priming composition, which results in uniform and dust free seed coating, without causing any damage to seed coat and also capable of quickly drying. The seed priming composition disclosed in present application provide a convenient, efficient and time saving alternative by preventing loss of material during treatment and increased efficacy of the bio fertilizer in its effects on germination percentage, uniform seedling establishment, strengthened root emergence. Selection of microorganisms help to uptake of micro and macro nutrients form rhizosphere. Plant growth promoting bacteria colonies in the rhizosphere and avoid the primary seed and soil diseases. Bio-polymer having the cellulosic fibrils absorb little moisture from surroundings and make seedlings withstand form abiotic stress.
Selecting microorganisms for bio fertilizer consortia and growing them: One of the important component of the present invention is bio fertilizer involved, which comprises of at least one bacterial strain selected from different groups of nutrient enhancing nitrogen fixing bacterial group comprising Rhizobium sp., Bradyrhizobium joponicum and Azosprillum sp. The bacteria are grown in a suitable culture medium. For Rhizobium and Brady rhizobium media composition: manitol:10.0 g/l, Di-potassium phosphate: 0.50 g/l, magnesium sulphate: 0.20 g/l, yeast extract: 1.00 g/l, sodium chloride: 0.10 g/l and maintained pH 6.8+0.2. Particularly Azosprillum sp.: malic acid: 5.0 g/l, Di-potassium hydrogen phosphate: 0.50 g/l, ferrous sulphate: 0.50 g/l, manganese sulphate, 0.01 g/l, magnesium sulphate: 0.20 g/l, sodium chloride: 0.10 g/l, bromothymol blue: 0.002 g/l, sodium molybdate: 0.002 g/l, calcium chloride: 0.02 g/l, potassium hydroxide: 4.0 g/l and maintained pH 6.8+0.2.
Phosphate solubilizing bacteria group comprising of Bacillus megaterium and Pseudomonas sp. suitable culture medium Pikovskayas broth (Pikovskaya et al., 1948) includes, glucose: 10.0 g/l, yeast extract: 0.50 g/l, calcium phosphate: 5.00 g/l, ammonium sulphate: 0.50 g/l, potassium chloride: 0.20 g/l, magnesium sulphate: 0.10 g/l, manganese sulphate: 0.001 g/l, ferrous sulphate: 0.0001 g/l and maintained pH 7 + 0.2.
Potassium mobilizing bacteria group comprising Pseudomonas putida and Pseudomonas sp. Using suitable culture medium Aleksandrov broth (Aleksandrov et al., 1967) includes glucose: 5.0 g/l, calcium phosphate: 0.10 g/l, potassium aluminium silicate: 2.0 g/l, magnesium sulphate: 0.5 g/l, calcium carbonate: 0.10 g/l, ferric chloride: 0.005 g/l and maintained pH 7.2 + 0.2.
Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria group comprising the promising group strains of Bacillus sp. and Pseudomonas sp. For Bacillus suitable medium LB agar involves peptone: 10.0 g/l, yeast extract: 5.0 g/l, sodium chloride: 10.0 g/l and maintained pH 7 to 7.5. Particularly Pseudomonas sp, King’s B medium involves peptone: 20.0 g/l, di-potassium hydrogen phosphate: 1.5 g/l, magnesium sulphate heptahydrate 1.5 g/l and maintained pH 7 to 7.2.
In a preferred embodiment, the composition further contains a preservative such as polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), potassium meta bisulphite and sodium chloride to protect the cells in dormant condition and increasing the shelf life of bio fertilizer. The liquid bio fertilizer stored at room temperatures of 20°C to 30°C. In these conditions, the bio fertilizer compositions are capable of maintaining the number of cfu at the levels sufficient for the use in the application. The number of cfu were above 1X10-9 cfu/ml after 6-month storage.
Selecting a bio-polymer to act as seed coating agent: The selected bio fertilizer is embedded with carrier cellulosic material helpful in spreading and coating of composition to seed surface in seed priming application. A bio-polymer comprising the cellulose fibrils make uniform coating and fibrous material having capacity of holding and absorbing moisture from surrounding soil matrices after the sowing/planting operation. Coating agent also ensure increase in the uniform germination by maintaining required moisture percentage for breaking dormancy of seeds.
Product formulation method: The designed product having a combination of nitrogen fixing bacteria (Azosprillum sp., Rhizobium sp. and Bradyrhizobium sp.), Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (Bacillus megaterium and Pseudomonas sp.), Potassium mobilizing bacteria (Pseudomonas putida), Plant growth promoting bacteria (Bacillus sp. and Pseudomonas sp.). The strains were procured from microbial collection centre (Pune and Chandigarh) and preserved at -800C. Used respective media for multiplication of the particular organisms. Sequences of the mass multiplication involved different steps like preparation of mother culture, starter culture and fermentation in completely atomised vessels. The mass multiplication of consortia using the liquid broth contain carbon, nitrogen and multiple mineral mixture with adjusted neutral pH, each step check the rate of multiplication. Fermentation process carried out based on the multiplication of bacteria, reduction of sugar and nutrients in broth. The broth is harvested at the stationary phase and preservatives are optionally added for encapsulation and increased shelf life of cells. This broth is transferred to mixing tank for further process. The cellulosic material is added in this fermented broth at 15 to 25 % and mixed well until the product becomes uniform and stable. Thickness, fluidity and density of product are ensured during this step. After mixing of fermented broth and cellulosic material, 0.5 to 3 % of colour is added as indicator and mixed well in the mixing tank. Figure 1 depicts the general scheme for preparation the seed priming composition.
Different experiments conducted on different seeds using seed priming composition as described in present application showed that composition forms a uniform coating on different seed surface, ensuring that quantity of product require for seed priming would be minimal and that all of the seeds subjected to suitable quantity of seed priming composition would be uniformly coated with the composition. The optimal concentration for pre-sowing treatment with the priming composition is 10 ml/kg of seeds and one treatment kept control (without treated). The percentage germination was recorded at 10 days after sowing. Observed treated seeds early germination and well establishment compared to control treatment. Seedling shows good vigour with well-developed roots. Uniform germination and initial root development is necessary requirement to achieve good yield and yield attributes in agricultural crop production. Seed treatment with seed priming composition of present invention helps to agricultural sector for easy application, protection of every seeds form biotic and abiotic stress. Seed priming composition of present invention enhance the biodiversity and soil health and develop the sustainable agricultural practices.
EXAMPLES
Example 1: Product application on seed coating/planting material: In crop production sequence, seed treatment is a pre-requisite and it can be regarded as first step and thus application of bio-fertilizer with crop-protection measures is required to be practiced and to be adopted by the farmer. Seed treatment with small amount of seed priming composition helps in attaining uniform coating and as carrier polymer acts as spreading and priming agent on surface of seeds and reflects immediate drying of seed coated surface. Treatment of seeds with the seed priming composition of present invention helps to improve the germination percentage, better establishment of seedlings and enhancement of nutrient uptake through treatment with beneficial microbes. Seed priming composition of present invention is also useful in treating seeds with sensitive seed coat and thus useful in priming of seed of diverse range. Specially selected combination of microorganisms for nitrogen fixation, phosphorous solubilisation, potassium mobilization and plant growth promotion in the seed priming composition ensure availability of all necessary nutrient for seedling growth. The selected combination of microorganisms called as consortia also contribute to organic acids compounds secretions, growth promoting substances like, indole acetic acid, gibberellic acids etc. Further as these microorganisms excrete siderophore compounds, an additional protection against attack from other phytopathogenic organisms is provided to the plants. The biopolymer embedded in seed priming composition helps in achieving uniformity of the coating and make stability of the product. Added advantages of the cellulosic material with fibrils hold the moisture and helps to improve the germination. The bio fertilizer used in the agriculture, in particular for pre-requisite seed priming helps to enhancing the crop establishment and soil biodiversity improvement, reduces the pathogenic load in soil and recycling of the nutrients. The seed priming composition as described herein help to improve the seed, plants and soil health.
Example 2: Study on final finished product for analysis of its total viable count (TVC) per one ml sample: Observations and results of study conducted are summarized herein below in Table 1.
Sl no Name of the organism CFU/ml Total CFU/ml
Nitrogen fixation
1 Rhizobium spp. and Bradyrhizobium japonicum.: 1 X 1011 2 X 1011
2 Azosprillum spp.: 1 X 1011
P-Solubilizatation
1 Bacillus megaterium 1 X 1011 2 X 1011
2 Bacillus spp. 1 X 1011
K- Mobilization
1 Pseudomonas putida: 1 X 1011 2 X 1011
2 Pseudomonas sp. 1 X 1011
Total TVC CFU/ml 6 X 1011
Table 1: Study on total viable count (TVC) per ml of seed priming composition of present invention.
Nutrient mobilization group: Pseudomonas putida produce some organic acids and enzymes. This acidolysis process make weathering of K+ ions from bounded clay minerals and helps in mobilization of potassium (K+ ions).
Improve the plant immunity group: Pseudomonas sp. producing secondary metabolites, peptides and phytohormone, which helps to improve the growth promotion activity and quickly colonise near rhizosphere and compete for nutrient and space to avoid other external pathogen activity near root zone.
Example 3: According to one of the embodiments of present invention the required dosage of seed priming composition of present invention and percentages of its different constituents are as summarized herein below in Table 2.:
Types of formulation Available form Constituents in the product Percentages of constituents Recommended dose for seed treatment
Present invention Liquid form Consortia of NPK bio fertilizer with PGPRs Bio fertilizer: 75-80%
Preservatives: 5-10%
Bio-Polymer: 15-20 %
Colour: 1-3 % 10 ml/kg
Solid form bio fertilizer Solid form Single organism Bio fertilizer: 35-40 %
Inert material: 60-70% 10-20 gm/kg
Liquid form bio fertilizer Liquid form Either single or NPK-Consortia Bio fertilizer: 80-90 %
Preservatives: 10-20% 10-20 ml /kg
Table 2: Study on required dosage of seed priming composition of present invention as compared to known compositions.
Inference: The seed priming composition of present invention has advantages over solid and liquid formulations, in terms of required quantity for seed treatment, which is less and also uniform coating of all treated seeds is obtained.
Example 4: Study on seed germination and seedling establishment under in vitro condition
Doses used for treatment 10 ml / kg of seeds
Method for treatment Pre-sowing seed treatment
Experiment conducted on Germination and seedling growth
Location AGRISEARCH (INDIA) PVT LTD,
Research and development plot
In shade house condition
Treatments T1: New invented product
T2: Bio-NPK consortia
T3: Control (Untreated seeds)
Observation recorded Germination and growth observed up to 10 days.
Shoot and Root development study up to 20 days.

Observations and results of study conducted are summarized herein below in Table 3.

Seeds used for germination Percentage (%) of germination at 10 days after sowing/dibbling
% increase in new invention over Bio-NPK consortia
New invention Treated seeds Bio-NPK consortia treated seeds Control
(Untreated seeds)
Soybean (Glycine max) 88.57% 84.28% 80.00% 4.29%
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) 98.57% 95.71% 91.42% 2.86%
Ground nut (Arachis hypogaea L.) 62.85% 60.00% 55.71% 2.85%
Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) 97.10% 95.71% 92.85% 1.39%
Maize (Zea mays subsp. mays) 94.28% 92.85% 91.42% 1.46%
Wheat (Triticum aestivum) 88.57% 85.71% 81.42% 2.86%
Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) 84.71% 82.85% 78.57% 1.86%
Table 3: Effect of Seed priming composition of present invention on germination percentage and establishment of seedlings of different seeds.
Inference: Seeds treated with the seed priming composition of present invention shows up to 2 to 4 % of higher germination over Bio-NPK consortia (Bio-fertilizer) in all the studied seeds. Compared to untreated seeds invented product established up to 6 to 9 % higher percent germination. The seed priming composition of present invention even demonstrated significantly improved percent germination (1.46 - 4.29 %) as compared to conventionally available 'Bio-NPK consortia'.
Example 5: Study on Shoot and Root development at 20 days after sowing: Observations and results of study conducted on Shoot and Root development at 20 days after sowing (average of 5 seedlings) are summarized herein below in Table 4.
Seeds used for germination Shoot length seedlings (cm) Root length of seedlings (cm)
Present invention Bio-NPK consortia Control
(Untreated) Present invention Bio-NPK consortia Control (Untreated)
Soybean
(Glycine max) 21.42 20.04 18.92 16.84 16.18 15.68
Chickpea
(Cicer arietinum) 19.30 18.60 16.78 16.86 15.18 14.60
Ground nut
(Arachis hypogaea L.) 14.08 13.42 12.76 11.30 10.66 9.98
Sorghum
(Sorghum bicolor) 29.10 27.80 26.50 6.90 6.20 5.70
Maize
(Zea mays subsp. mays) 37.60 34.50 31.80 7.80 6.90 6.30
Wheat
(Triticum aestivum) 22.40 20.30 18.30 13.20 12.4 11.30
Cotton
(Gossypium hirsutum) 28.70 26.40 25.10 9.50 9.10 8.20
Table 4: Effect of Seed priming composition of present invention on Shoot and Root length at 20 days of germination of different seeds.
Inference: Seeds treated with the seed priming composition of present invention resulted in seedlings with higher shoot and root length as compared to Bio-NPK treated seeds. In all kinds of seeds good vigour is observed in plants derived from seeds treated with the seed priming composition of present invention as compared to others treatment.
Example 6: Study on Bio-mass production of seedling at 20 days after sowing: Observations and results of study conducted on Bio-mass production of seedling at 20 days after sowing (average of 5 seedlings) are summarized herein below in Table 5.

Kinds of seeds used Bio-mass (gm/5 seedlings)
Present invention Bio-NPK consortia Control (Untreated)
Soybean (Glycine max) 1.62 1.36 1.16
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) 1.78 1.32 0.98
Ground nut (Arachis hypogaea L.) 2.18 1.84 1.64
Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) 2.85 2.54 2.19
Maize (Zea mays subsp. mays) 3.71 3.35 2.87
Wheat (Triticum aestivum) 1.92 1.72 1.54
Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) 2.36 2.14 2.02
Table 5: Effect of Seed priming composition of present invention on biomass at 20 days of germination of different seeds.
Inference: Seeds treated with the seed priming composition of present invention resulted in seedlings with higher biomass (dry weight) as compared to Bio-NPK treated and untreated seeds.
Example 7: Study to evaluate the advantages of the seed priming composition of present invention: Observations and results of study conducted on different aspects of seed priming composition of present invention under uniform ambient conditions are summarized herein below in Table 6.
Composition Adjuvant required Care to be taken for treating seeds Time taken for drying Seeds can use immediately for sowing Effect of seed treatment
Present invention No No 2-5 minutes Yes
Uniform coating and quick drying
Powder form bio- fertilizer Require adhering agent Mixing of adhering agent and powder require skilled person 30 to 40 minutes shade drying required No,
(waiting for drying of seeds required) no uniform coating
Liquid bio-fertilizer No While treating of liquid care needs to be taken for spreading 15 to 20 minutes shade drying required No,
(waiting for drying of seeds required) uniform coating not obtained in all cases
Table 6: Different aspects of seed priming composition of present invention as compared to available options.
Significant advantages of the composition described herein:
? Specially designed product with bacterial consortia, bio and nano-polymer and indicator for pre- sowing seed treatment with ease of application and efficient results.
? Improves germination even in abiotic stress conditions.
? Reduces application of chemical fertilizer, as microbes helps to release and make nutrients available for plant growth.
? Uniform performance and quick drying of treated seeds for immediate sowing.
? Improvement in seed germination by promoting root development.
? Improvement in vigor and protect from the loss caused by mortality of seedling due to soil borne pathogens.
? Helps seed in initial growth phase which is of prime importance.

, Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A seed priming composition for improved germination and seedling growth, said composition comprising of:
i. a nitrogen fixing bacteria selected from the group consisting of Azosprillum sp., Rhizobium sp., and Bradyrhizobium sp.;
ii. a phosphate solubilizing bacteria selected from group consisting of Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus sp., and Pseudomonas sp.;
iii. a potassium mobilizing bacteria selected from group consisting of Pseudomonas putida and Pseudomonas sp.;
iv. a bio-polymer as carrier;
v. optionally a preservative selected from group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), potassium meta bisulphite and sodium chloride; and
vi. optionally a colour indicator.
2. The seed priming composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nitrogen fixing bacteria, the phosphate solubilizing bacteria, and potassium mobilizing bacteria, collectively amounts to 75-80%.
3. The seed priming composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bio-polymer is in 15-20%.
4. The seed priming composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the preservative is in 5-10%.
5. The seed priming composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the colour is in 0.5-3%.
6. The seed priming composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the nitrogen fixing bacteria, the phosphate solubilizing bacteria, and potassium mobilizing bacteria are present in 1 X 109 CFU/ml.
7. The seed priming composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bio-polymer is a cellulosic material.
8. The seed priming composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said composition dry in 2-4 minutes upon application to seeds and results in dust free seed coating, without causing any damage to seed coat.
9. The seed priming composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said composition results in increased percentage of seed germination, and improved shoot, root, and bio-mass production, when applied on seeds.
10. A method for preparing a seed priming composition as defined in claim 1-8, wherein said method comprises of adding a nitrogen fixing bacteria, a phosphate solubilizing bacteria, a potassium mobilizing bacteria, a bio-polymer as carrier, optionally a preservative, and optionally a colour indicator in percentages as defined in claim 1-8 and mixing.