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Currently seed coating polymers are being used by seed companies along with active ingredients such as insecticides and fungicides. Polymer coating acts as a temperature switch, regulating intake of water by seed coat, the stress imposed by accelerated ageing, which includes fungal invasion and improves the seedling emergence at changing soil moisture regime especially in the sub-optimal range (Scott, 1989; Sherin & Susan John, 2003). Chitosan is a carbohydrate biopolymer derived from deacetylation of chitin, which is found in the crustacean’s shells, insect’s cuticle, and cell wall of fungi. The results indicated that in general biopolymers were found to be superior in enhancing the germination, seedling vigour, growth parameters when compared to synthetic polymers in both castor and groundnut.
Key words: Carbohydrate, Groundnut, Synthetic polymers, Seeds.