Seeds, Volume 5, Issue 1 (February 2026) – 12 articles

Even though wheat’s response to nitrogen (N) is well studied, practical optimization remains challenging because yield and seed quality often react inconsistently across seasons. For winter wheat, the simultaneous quantification of efficiency indicators that capture N losses and diminishing returns is important. This study evaluated nitrogen (N) fertilization in two growing seasons. This study aimed to adjust N fertilization strategy through different combinations of granular N timing and foliar applications to improve winter wheat yield and technological seed quality while maintaining high fertilization efficiency. Field experiments were conducted over two growing seasons (2021/2022 and 2022/2023) using seven fertilization treatments (Control, TSE_1, TSE_2, TSEH_1, TSEH_2, TSEH_3, and TSH, which correspond to growth stage T—tillering stage; SE—stem elongation phase; H—heading stage) in the range of 140.5 to 194.5 kg ha⁻¹ N. Seed yield and seed quality traits (moisture, hectoliter weight, starch, protein, gluten, and sedimentation value) were measured, and treatment effects were evaluated with ANOVA, correlation, and regression analyses. In 2021/2022, no significant treatment effects were detected for yield or seed quality parameters, indicating that environmental variability dominated crop response. In contrast, in 2022/2023, seed yield, hectoliter weight, gluten content, and starch yield showed significant treatment effects (p ≤ 0.05–0.01), with fertilized variants generally outperforming the Control. Across both seasons, seed quality traits displayed strong internal structure: protein, gluten, and sedimentation were strongly positively correlated, while starch was strongly negatively correlated with these traits and the yield correlated positively with hectoliter weight but negatively with protein and gluten, highlighting a yield–quality trade-off. Importantly, partial factor productivity (PFP) and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) showed the strongest treatment sensitivity, demonstrating their value for identifying efficient N strategies even when yield and quality responses were season-dependent. Regression analyses confirmed that seasonal conditions modulated nitrogen responsiveness, with NUE and starch yield showing much stronger relationships with nitrogen input in 2021/2022 and 2022/2023, respectively. Full article

Damage caused by Brassicogethes aeneus primarily affects the reproductive organs of rapeseed, disrupting fertilization and often leading to premature pod opening. In addition to direct yield loss, it is hypothesized that injury to generative tissues may also alter seed nutrient composition, particularly the unsaturated fatty acid profile, which is a key determinant of rapeseed quality. To assess this indirect effect, field experiments were conducted in 2024–2025, and seed samples were collected after ripening. The study aimed to evaluate pest-induced variation in nutrient content under different insecticide treatments. Alongside an untreated control, two active substances were tested: a systemic insecticide (acetamiprid) and a combined formulation of acetamiprid and lambda-cyhalothrin. Our results demonstrated that the widely used active insecticides are not effective against B. aeneus adults. Checking the fatty acid (FA) profile, within saturated FAs, the proportion of palmitic acid (C16:0) was the highest in the control; the single and combined pesticide treatments were characterized by increasing LA (C18:2n6) and ALA (C18:3n3) levels, in which both FAs exhibited a linear pattern with the single and combined treatments. In MUFAs, the most important finding was the negligible level of erucic acid (C22:1n9) below the detection limit. Oleic acid (C18:1n9) proportion was generally high (~50) and significantly decreased in treated groups. Oil quality affection highlights the importance of effective pest management to maintain the nutritional and technological value of rapeseed, as shifts in the n6:n3 ratio and thrombogenic index reflect stress responses rather than agronomic benefits. Full article

Direct seeded rice, being less water- and labor-intensive, can be an alternative approach to conventional rice planting methods. However, uneven and poor stand establishment caused by deep sowing in the field is one of the major hurdles in the adoption of direct seeding technology. Varieties with the potential to emerge from deeper layers of soil may have a positive impact on crop establishment. To evaluate the behavior of ten rice cultivars against their potential to emerge from different soil depths (0, 2.5, and 5.0 cm), a pot experiment was conducted under semi-controlled conditions at the PARC Rice Programme, Kala Shah Kaku, Lahore. Data on different seedling parameters were collected. The results showed that the highest mean seedling emergence percentage (95%) was achieved by the tested genotypes at a 2.5 cm seeding depth, while surface sowing and placement of seeds at a 5 cm depth demonstrated a similar mean emergence percentage (89%). Seeding depth, genotypes, and their interactions significantly affected mean emergence time, mesocotyl and coleoptile lengths, and root and shoot lengths. Sowing seeds at a 5 cm depth increased mean emergence time by 28%. However, increasing sowing depth increased the coleoptile length, mesocotyl length, first leaf sheath length, and shoot length of rice seedlings. Mesocotyls and coleoptile lengths showed a linear relationship with mean emergence time. Mesocotyl and coleoptile are key structures of the apical–basal axis in grasses that elongate to facilitate the emergence of germinating seeds under deep sowing. The longest coleoptiles (1.47 cm) and mesocotyls (3.27 cm) were measured from seedlings sown at a depth of 5 cm. Among genotypes, PK-1121 exhibited maximum coleoptile elongation (2.10 cm) under deep sowing (5 cm), while the longest mesocotyls were recorded from deep-sown (5 cm) seedlings of Chenab Basmati. Root length was found to be inversely proportional to sowing depth. PK-1121 aromatic, Kisan Basmati, Punjab Basmati, and Chenab Basmati produced longer shoots (22.61, 23.37, 23.32, and 21.05 cm, respectively) and took a relatively short time for emergence when sown deep. These varieties may have better potential to emerge from deeper soil layers, which may have a positive impact on even germination and better crop stand establishment. Full article

California sage scrub is an endangered, shrub-dominated, southern California ecosystem threatened by increasing fire frequencies and type-conversion to non-native grasslands. Once non-native grasses become established, their presence promotes more frequent fires, perpetuating grass dominance. To better understand how fire influences soil seed bank assemblages, we examined soil seed banks in burned and adjacent unburned sage scrub at the Robert J. Bernard Field Station (BFS) in two areas that burned in September 2013 and May 2017. In contrast to a previous soil seed bank study in California sage scrub, we found that unburned soil seed banks in sage scrub at the BFS were primarily composed of native seeds (88% of sprouts in unburned areas were native), highlighting that soil seed bank dynamics differ among California sage scrub sites. Despite burned areas supporting elevated densities of non-native seeds (the majority of which included Festuca myuros, a non-native grass), soil seed banks in our burned areas retained native seeds (21% of sprouts in burned areas were native), including native shrub species, suggesting that not all sage scrub habitats are primed to transition to non-native grasslands following disturbances. However, elevated densities on non-native seedlings in burned areas highlight the vulnerability of sage scrub to fire disturbances and the subsequent establishment of non-native grasses. Full article

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important legume, valued for its nutritional and bioactive components. In this study, seven chickpea advanced breeding lines, an elite line, and a cultivar were evaluated under field conditions to assess superior agronomic performance, seed quality traits, nutritional composition, and phenolic profile. A combined approach was used, integrating field phenotyping, seed quality assays, and LC–MS-based phenolic profiling. Significant genotype-dependent variation was observed in plant height, biomass yield, and 1000-seed weight, with P9/14 and P10/14 advanced lines performing strongly in yield-related traits. Seed functional properties also differed, with P8/14 showing superior hydration and seed coat characteristics, while cv. Blanco Sinaloa exhibited the highest hydration and swelling capacities. Protein content ranged from 22.6% to 25.4%, with P9/14 being the most protein-rich advanced line. Phytochemical and antioxidant analyses revealed substantial differences among genotypes: Blanco Sinaloa and M-15370 showed the highest total phenolics and ABTS activity, whereas P14/14 exhibited the strongest DPPH scavenging capacity. LC–MS profiling identified six major phenolic subclasses, with isoflavones predominating and biochanin A and its derivatives being the most abundant compounds. Overall, the integration of agronomic, nutritional, and phytochemical data highlights the advanced lines P14/14 and P9/14 as promising candidates for future breeding programs aimed at enhancing chickpea nutritional quality and functional seed attributes. Full article

Two well-known recessive mutations (a, conditioning white flowers and unpigmented testa; and r, conditioning wrinkled seeds) were found to be major contributors to the loss of germination percentage in garden pea (Pisum sativum L.) when seeds were maintained at cool temperatures (5 °C) for extended periods. After approximately 20 years in storage, seeds homozygous for the unpigmented mutation displayed an average germination rate about 20% lower than wildtype seeds, while wrinkled seeds displayed a rate about 25% less. Seeds homozygous for both the a and r mutations (a combination typical of many commercial cultivars) exhibited a reduction in germination percentage of about 50% over the storage period, indicating that the two mutations have an additive effect on the ageing process. Additional results involving a second mutation (a2) in the phenylpropanoid pathway, as well as information available from the literature that a second, independent mutation in starch synthesis (r_b) also reduces seed longevity, suggest that an intact phenylpropanoid pathway and a normally functioning starch synthesis pathway are necessary for optimal storage life of pea seeds. Full article

Wild seeds constitute a taxonomically diverse and underexplored reservoir of C18-series bioactive fatty acids (BFAs) with significant nutritional, biomedical, and industrial relevance. This review integrates current knowledge on their lipid composition, metabolic architecture, and potential applications. Numerous wild taxa accumulate high levels of oleic, linoleic, α-linolenic, γ-linolenic, and stearidonic acids, while others synthesise structurally specialised compounds such as punicic, petroselinic, and sciadonic acids. These FAs, together with tocopherols, phytosterols, and phenolics, underpin antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and cardiometabolic effects supported by in vitro and in vivo evidence. The occurrence of these unusual lipids reflects lineage-specific modulation of plastidial and endoplasmic-reticulum pathways, including differential activities of SAD, FAD2/3, Δ6- and Δ5-desaturases, elongases, and acyl-editing enzymes that determine the final acyl-CoA and TAG pools. Wild seed oils show strong potential for translation into functional foods, targeted nutraceuticals, pharmacologically relevant lipid formulations, cosmetic ingredients, and bio-based materials. However, their exploitation is constrained by ecological sustainability, oxidative instability of PUFA-rich matrices, antinutritional constituents, and regulatory requirements for novel lipid sources. This review positions wild seeds as high-value, underused lipid resources with direct relevance to health and sustainability. It underscores their potential to enhance nutritional security and offer alternatives to conventional oil crops. Full article

Soil salinity is a major abiotic stress that limits rice production, with severity varying among genotypes. It disrupts key physiological processes, particularly water uptake and membrane integrity. This study evaluated six rice genotypes to (i) determine the critical salinity threshold for seed germination and (ii) investigate the physiological mechanisms underlying genotypic variation. Seeds were exposed to saline solutions of up to 32 dS m⁻¹ under controlled conditions, and germination was recorded at 2, 5, 10, and 14 days after stress imposition. Additional assays at 0, 12, 18, and 24 dS m⁻¹ for 1, 3, and 5 days assessed water uptake, electrolyte leakage, and malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation. The critical threshold for germination was consistent across genotypes (26.01–28.53 dS m⁻¹), except for Nona Bokra, which was more sensitive (20.5 dS m⁻¹). Salinity reduced seed water uptake and promoted membrane degradation, as evidenced by increased electrolyte leakage and MDA accumulation, with severity proportional to stress duration. Full article

Thai eggplant (Solanum melongena L. cv. Chao Phraya), a widely cultivated vegetable with increasing global demand, is highly susceptible to salinity stress, which can severely impair seed germination and early seedling development. This study investigated the effects of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a nitric oxide (NO) donor, on seed germination and seedling growth under salt stress conditions. Seeds were pre-treated with SNP at concentrations of 0, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 mM for 24 h and subsequently germinated under saline conditions with NaCl solutions (0, 100, and 200 mM). SNP pre-treatment, particularly at 0.05 and 0.1 mM, significantly improved germination percentage and germination rate in seeds exposed to 200 mM NaCl compared to untreated controls. Increased NaCl concentrations induced oxidative stress in seedlings, as evidenced by elevated hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) accumulation, which in turn caused lipid peroxidation, reflected by higher malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Salt stress significantly increased ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity, whereas catalase (CAT) activity showed no significant change across treatments. Correlation analysis revealed that APX activity was positively correlated with oxidative stress markers (H₂O₂) and delayed germination (T₅₀/MGT), whereas CAT activity showed no significant correlation with these parameters. In contrast, elevated APX activity was strongly and negatively correlated with overall seedling growth and vigor (SVI/GI), indicating that the underlying stress condition had a detrimental effect on plant performance. Overall, SNP pre-treatment, particularly at 0.05 and 0.1 mM, significantly enhanced salt tolerance by promoting germination (increasing GP and reducing T₅₀/MGT) and improving seedling growth (SL and RL). This protective effect is associated with improved redox regulation and partial mitigation of oxidative damage, as reflected by changes in H₂O₂, MDA, and APX; however, excessive SNP concentrations may exert phytotoxic effects, highlighting the importance of optimal dosing. Full article

Morningglories (Ipomoea lacunosa, I. hederacea, and I. purpurea) are persistent, problematic weeds in summer row crops throughout warm-temperate regions. Their vining growth habit and enduring seedbanks lead to recurring infestations and harvest interferences. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the seed ecology of these species to clarify how dormancy, germination, and emergence processes contribute to their persistence. Published anatomical and ecological studies were examined to summarize dormancy mechanisms, environmental signals regulating dormancy release, germination requirements, and seasonal emergence patterns. Morningglories exhibit a dormancy system dominated by physical dormancy, occasionally combined with a transient physiological component. Dormancy release is promoted by warm and fluctuating temperatures, hydration–dehydration cycles, and long-term seed-coat weathering. Once permeable, seeds germinate across broad temperature ranges, vary in sensitivity to water potential, and show limited dependence on light. Field studies indicate extended emergence windows from late spring through midsummer, especially in no-till systems where surface seeds experience strong thermal and moisture fluctuations. Despite substantial progress, significant gaps remain concerning maternal environmental effects, population-level variation, seedbank persistence under modern management, and the absence of mechanistic emergence models. An improved understanding of these processes will support the development of more predictive and ecologically informed management strategies. Full article

Low-temperature plasma treatments were applied to barley seeds using a dielectric barrier-stabilized corona discharge operated in ambient air enriched with oxygen or nitrogen to quantify surface chemical modifications and seed wettability. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that oxygen-enriched plasma produced the strongest oxidation, increasing surface oxygen from 9 ± 5 at% (control) to 24 ± 5 at%, while reducing carbon from 88 ± 5 at% to 76 ± 5 at%. Nitrogen-enriched plasma induced more moderate changes (O: 13 ± 5 at%, C: 85 ± 5 at%) but resulted in clear nitrogen incorporation, with an enhanced N 1s amine/amide component at ~400.8 eV. The hydroxyl O 1s contribution increased from 70% (control) to 82% (oxygen) and 90% (nitrogen), indicating substantial surface hydroxylation. SEM-EDX showed only minor micrometer-scale composition changes and no detectable morphological damage. Raman and ATR-FTIR spectra confirmed that polysaccharide, protein, and lipid structures remained intact, with intensity variations reflecting increased hydrophilicity. Water imbibition kinetics fitted with the Peleg model demonstrated faster initial hydration after plasma exposure, with 1/k₁ increasing from 20.25 ± 1.90 h⁻¹ (control) to 36.70 ± 6.56 h⁻¹ (oxygen) and 38.87 ± 7.57 h⁻¹ (nitrogen), while 1/k₂ remained nearly unchanged. Full article

Soil salinity poses a major threat to agriculture by severely limiting how well plants grow and produce crops. It strongly inhibits seed germination, a critical stage for plant life. Thus, it is critical to understand the complex ways salinity affects seed germination at the physiological, biochemical, and molecular levels to develop effective salt stress mitigation strategies. This review synthesizes the underlying mechanisms of how salinity inhibits seed germination, the observed impacts of this inhibition, and potential mitigation strategies. The review revealed that high salt concentrations reduce seed germination percentage and increase germination time through multiple mechanisms. They create osmotic stress that reduces water uptake, cause ion toxicity that disrupts critical metabolic activities, and induce oxidative stress. Furthermore, salinity can modify endogenous hormonal profiles, specifically by decreasing germination stimulants like gibberellic acids while increasing inhibitors like abscisic acid. The review finally explored the strategies to mitigate salinity’s adverse effects on seed germination. They include seed priming, a technique involving partial hydration of seeds in an eliciting solution, a promising biotechnological tool to overcome salinity problems during seed germination. Other approaches are the use of organic amendments and the breeding of salt-tolerant varieties. Future research should combine conventional and advanced molecular technologies to develop salt-tolerant cultivars to ensure food security in salt-affected agricultural lands. Full article