Innovations in lettuce seed pelleting: sustainable materials and machine learning analysis1

ABSTRACT The low sowing efficiency of lettuce seeds stemming from their small size, irregular shape, and low mass poses a significant barrier to yield. The present study aimed to evaluate the physiological quality of lettuce seeds pelleted with combinations of sustainable coating materials (MB4, Ekosil, BTgran, and mangrove sururu shell powder) and adhesives (PVA glue, FTA glue, and cassava gum). The experiment followed a completely randomized design, in a 3 × 4 + 1 factorial scheme, with germination and vigor variables assessed. The combination of BTgran and PVA glue provided the best performance for germination, seedling length, and dry mass. Machine learning analysis identified the most influential variables with 75 % of accuracy, providing analytical support for the development of more sustainable and accessible agricultural technologies.