Russia wheat seed treatment boosts yields

Researchers at St. Petersburg State Agrarian University, working with colleagues from St. Petersburg State University, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, ITMO University and the Vavilov Institute, tested seed treatment with chitosan and glyoxal on soft wheat. The most effective method was a sequential process in which seeds were first placed in a chitosan solution, dried, and then treated with an aqueous glyoxal solution.

The university said the approach improved not only agronomic traits but also phytopathological indicators, lowering the risk of dangerous plant diseases. In a second method, seeds were placed directly in a mixed solution of chitosan and glyoxal for 10 minutes before drying.

Chitosan, derived from chitin, is used as an environmentally friendly polymer to protect plants from bacteria, fungal pathogens and viruses. Glyoxal is used in agriculture as an antibacterial agent. Together, the compounds are being positioned as part of a broader push to cut pesticide use and reduce chemical load on soils.

The finding is especially relevant for Russia’s northwestern region, where the experiments were designed to improve soft wheat resilience under difficult climate conditions. If the results hold in larger-scale field trials, the technology could appeal to growers looking to protect yields as weather volatility and input costs remain elevated.

The study was published in Applied Biochemistry and Microbiology. The next test for investors and agribusinesses is whether the treatment can be scaled into commercial seed protocols and replicated across different wheat varieties and growing regions.