Effects of lignin/polyethylene glycol as film-forming agents in 5 wt% of chlorantraniliprole flowable concentrate for seed coating on coating performance, germination and growth of different seeds

In this work, lignin/polyethylene glycol (L-PEG) film-forming agents with different lignin contents were synthesized using industrial alkali lignin (AL) as hydrophobic monomers and PEG as hydrophilic monomers, and then used to prepare 5 wt% of chlorantraniliprole flowable concentrate for seed coating (CFS). Next, the effects of CFS on the coating performance, germination and growth of mung bean, maize, white pea, soybean, green pea and wheat seeds were further investigated. Results showed L-PEG films presented a good mechanical property, thermal stability and biodegradability. All CFSs had a satisfactory viscosity as well as excellent dispersion stability and cold storage stability. The coating performance of CFS on different seeds was obviously different. For example, the wheat had a lowest coating shedding percentage (1.92%), highest coating uniformity (96.7%), shortest film-forming time (115 s) and lowest leaching mass loss percentage. The pot experimental results showed CFS owned a wide adaptability, which had no inhibitory effect on the germination of all seeds and could promote the root development of maize, wheat and mung bean seeds. The present research would broaden the efficient utilization of lignin into the pesticide flowable concentrate for seed coating field, which had important economic, social and environmental significance.