Trade-off between pathogen control and seed viability: Engineering hydrothermal wastewater towards agricultural...

Ensuring the balance between pathogen control and seed viability is critical for advancing sustainable agricultural practices. Hydrothermal liquefaction aqueous phase (HTL-AP), a renewable byproduct of biomass processing, exhibits promising antifungal properties but poses challenges due to its concentration-dependent phytotoxicity. Here we report trade-off and tailored protocol for simultaneously efficient antifungal and seed growth via engineering HTL-AP based disinfectant. Employing wheat and cabbage seeds contaminated with pathogenic fungi as representative crop seeds, HTL-AP achieved complete inhibition of fungal growth at a concentration of 4.8 %, whereas seed viability was negatively impacted by HTL-AP at low dilution ratios (i.e., × 1, × 2). Customized disinfection protocols were developed tailored to different seeds, involving adjustments of HTL-AP concentration, exposure time, and wash post-treatment, in order to achieve the optimal trade off, comparable to that of conventional disinfectants. The multifaceted disinfection mechanisms of HTL-AP were discussed, including cell membrane disruption, metabolic pathways interference, and enzyme system damage. This study underscores the significance for a customized strategy in both pathogen reduction and the promotion of plant health. By engineering a renewable HTL-AP reagent, this research advances sustainable agricultural practices and bolsters global food security.