Research Information System
WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION, vol.237, no.2, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Seed germination is a critical stage for crop establishment, and environmentally friendly approaches are needed to improve seed performance while reducing chemical inputs. In this study, nutshell-derived hydrochar (NH) was used as a carrier to immobilize essential oils (EOs) from Origanum onites L. and Lavandula x intermedia Emeric ex Loisel. and their effects on Salvia sclarea L. germination were evaluated. Hydrochars were produced via hydrothermal carbonization of hazelnut shells, characterized by FT-IR, and combined with Murashige and Skoog medium for germination experiments under controlled conditions. EO-loaded NH significantly influenced seed germination compared to the untreated control. Germination percentage increased from 54.67% (control) to 80.0% with L. x intermedia EO-NH, while mean germination time decreased from 3.93 to 3.55 days and T50 from 3.39 to 2.89 days. Seedling vigor was also enhanced, with improvements of up to 28% over the control. These findings demonstrate that EO-immobilized NH offers a promising eco-friendly strategy to promote seed germination and early seedling growth, with potential applications in sustainable crop production and environmental management.