Seeds, Volume 5, Issue 3 (June 2026) – 11 articles

Direct-seeded industrial tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) systems are highly vulnerable to early-season interference, yet the role of seed vigor as a competitive determinant remains under-quantified. This study evaluated the performance of high-vigor (HV; 91% germination) and accelerated-aged low-vigor (LV; 60% germination) tomato seeds against two weeds: green foxtail (Setaria viridis) and jimsonweed (Datura stramonium). While mean emergence timing was statistically comparable between HV and LV cohorts (6.0 vs. 7.2 days), LV seedlings entered the post-emergence phase with a numerical deficit in initial seedling dry weight (7.1 mg vs. 8.5 mg for HV; difference not statistically significant), suggesting a potential early competitive disadvantage. In replacement series experiments, HV tomatoes maintained stable leaf and root biomass within the 0.76–1.24 relative yield (RY) confidence interval when competing with jimsonweed. In contrast, LV plants were significantly suppressed at low weed proportions (25%), where root RY dipped below the 0.76 threshold. Against the aggressive below-ground strategy of S. viridis (which produced ~1200 mg of root mass by 40 DAE), LV tomato root RY collapsed to 0.10–0.15, whereas HV plants maintained significantly higher niche occupancy. Physical separation of above- and below-ground competition confirmed that HV seeds provide a “physiological buffer”; specifically, in below-ground treatments, HV plants achieved a root mass of 0.25 g/plant compared to only 0.15 g/plant for LV plants. These results identify seed vigor as a primary driver of the “priority effect” and suggest that high-vigor lots are essential for Integrated Weed Management (IWM) strategies to mitigate early-season resource pre-emption. These findings suggest that seed vigor assessment should be integrated into seed quality standards for direct-seeded tomato systems as a component of Integrated Weed Management. Future field-based studies are needed to validate these greenhouse findings under variable agronomic conditions. Full article

Ginkgo biloba seeds are a rich source of flavonoids and the unique terpene lactones—ginkgolides and bilobalide, known for their neuroprotective and cognitive-improving effects. However, unlike the widely used leaves, the seeds contain substantial levels of ginkgolic acid and ginkgotoxin (4′-O-methylpyridoxine), an antivitamin B₆ compound. At high concentrations, ginkgotoxin exhibits neurotoxicity, potentially inducing seizures, respiratory distress, and loss of consciousness, thus limiting the safe application of Ginkgo seed-derived products. This study aimed to develop a simple yet effective extraction protocol that reduces ginkgotoxin levels in Ginkgo biloba seed extracts while preserving their beneficial phytochemicals. A multistep liquid–liquid extraction approach employing sequential polar and non-polar solvents was implemented. Following each extraction stage, fractions were analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS). The concentrations of flavonoids, ginkgolides, bilobalide, ginkgolic acid, and ginkgotoxin were quantified to evaluate detoxification efficiency and phytochemical retention. Compared with conventional single-step extraction using 70% methanol, this multistep protocol markedly reduced ginkgotoxin and ginkgolic acid to near-undetectable levels, while preserving detectable concentrations of major flavonoids and terpene trilactones. The findings demonstrate that multistep extraction represents a promising and practical strategy for minimizing ginkgotoxin in Ginkgo biloba seed extracts without compromising their beneficial phytochemical composition. This approach provides a sound basis for developing safer, functionally active Ginkgo-based products. Full article

Pea cultivation has witnessed significant growth in international trade in recent years, leading to increased export volumes worldwide. However, seed germination and early seedling growth often exhibit low uniformity, resulting in heterogeneous seedling sizes, which limit agronomic management and affect overall performance. As a result, this study aimed to assess the effects of gibberellin (GA) doses on the germination of the ‘Santa Isabel’ pea variety, one of Colombia’s most commonly cultivated varieties. A completely randomized design was employed with five treatments (0, 50, 100, 150, or 200 mg L⁻¹). The application of 200 mg L⁻¹ GA significantly enhanced germination percentage, germination potential, and germination speed index by 66.4%, 64.9%, and 71.5%, respectively, compared to the control. Furthermore, it increased the vigor index. The GA application reduced the mean germination time to 6.48 days, while the control exhibited 8.98 days. GA treatment increased seedling height to 5.3 cm, compared with 3.0 cm in the control. The variation coefficient in germinated seedling height increased as germination progressed and stabilized towards the end. Although GA did not affect the total fresh mass of the seedling, it did influence the proportion of mass allocated to each organ. Notably, there was a decrease in the amount of photoassimilates transferred from the seed to the leaves and stipules, accompanied by an increase in dry and fresh mass in the stems. The control treatment exhibited the highest fresh and dry leaf mass values compared with the GA-treated treatments. Full article

Seed-associated endophytes become active during germination, playing important roles as early colonizers of plant tissues and contributing to plant health while residing in a protective niche. In this study, we characterized a wheat-derived bacterial isolate, JunSE1L, to determine its functional traits and ecological role in the plant microbiome. The isolate was identified as Bacillus atrophaeus based on 16S rRNA analysis. JunSE1L exhibited nutrient-dependent plasticity in colony architecture, forming robust hydrophobic biofilms and pellicles under rich nutrient availability while swarming and forming thin, often dendritic colonies under defined nutrition. JunSE1L produced highly surface-active compounds that lowered the surface tension of water to 30 mN/m and released potent proteolytic and hemolytic compounds, thus equipping JunSE1L for antagonistic interactions, as examined against several fungal pathogens. JunSE1L inhibited Fusarium proliferatum and Mucor hiemalis in live-cell assays, while cell-free supernatant selectively inhibited M. hiemalis. JunSE1L was recovered from multiple plant compartments, including rhizosphere, rhizoplane, and aerial tissues, and was observed to emerge from cut plant tissues, supporting seed-endophyte mobilization upon germination to colonize distal tissues. Seed surface inoculation experiments with JunSE1L showed limited attachment at low cell densities and reduced seedling vigor at higher inoculum levels, indicating that inoculum density and native microbiome interactions influence seedling performance. Full article

The long-term storage of seeds is important for conserving native species, but its effectiveness depends on maintaining seed quality. This study assessed the impact of storage duration on seed quality in Alnus glutinosa (alder) and Betula pubescens (downy birch). Seed quality was evaluated using thousand-seed weight (TSW), moisture content (MC), tetrazolium (TZ) viability, and germination tests. Results from stored seed lots were compared with those from recently collected seeds. Moisture content, TZ viability, and germination were significantly affected by storage duration, although sensitivity analyses indicated that storage conditions, particularly lower temperature and airtight storage, may have contributed to improved seed viability in specific seed lots. A relationship between TZ viability and germination was observed, although this was influenced by zero values. Cold stratification improved germination in downy birch but did not compensate for reduced viability in older seed lots. These findings highlight the importance of storage conditions and species-specific pre-treatments and support the use of TZ testing as a rapid indicator of seed viability when used alongside germination testing. The results provide practical guidance for managing seed resources and maintaining reliable forest reproductive material supply. Full article

Achiote has been used since pre-Hispanic times, but today it is undervalued in Mexico and is threatened with disappearance in some regions. Therefore, it is important to focus research on this crop to enhance its value and prevent the loss of this ancestral germplasm, which is an essential part of Mexican, Latin American, and Caribbean cuisine and a source of income for small rural and indigenous producers. Furthermore, it has the potential to increase its commercial value as a natural colorant compared to synthetic ones. However, despite its properties, there is currently no information available on the nutritional characteristics of the seed produced in various regions of Mexico. The aim of this study was to determine the physicochemical characteristics, nutritional value, and antioxidant compound content of achiote seeds from Nuevo Huixtán Margaritas Chiapas (Margaritas), San Pedro Tapanatepec Oaxaca (Oaxaca), and Nuevo Jericó Palenque, Chiapas (Palenque), Mexico. The effect of the region on morphological and physicochemical characteristics, nutritional quality, and nutraceutical properties of the seed was evaluated. A statistically significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) was obtained between regions for all variables studied except for the brightness (L*) of ground seeds and the content of total phenols, C, N, and S. Margaritas seeds were the heaviest and longest, while those from Oaxaca were the smallest and presented the highest values for all whole seed color parameters, in addition to having the best nutritional quality. The antioxidant capacity (DPPH) obtained was 70.01 to 76.96% inhibition, with the maximum values found in seeds from Oaxaca and Palenque. In conclusion, Mexican achiote seeds exhibit notable nutritional and nutraceutical properties, which vary depending on the region of production, highlighting the influence of geographic origin on their composition. Full article

Urbanization reduces biodiversity and affects plant–insect interactions, creating a need for more functional green spaces. Urban meadows with native species are a promising option, but their use is still limited due to a variety of reasons concerning the utilization framework of suitable plant species. The present study aimed to develop seed germination protocols for 26 native Mediterranean herbaceous species originating from northeastern Greece selected to support the establishment of species-rich and self-sustaining urban meadows. To the above end, seed germination experiments were conducted ex situ under controlled environment conditions using seeds collected from the wild for each species. Seed viability was assessed using the tetrazolium (TTZ) test to determine the maximum germination potential in each case. Freshly collected seeds were stored under ambient conditions for approximately 3 months (after-ripening) prior to germination testing, which was followed by cold stratification as a pretreatment for dormancy release. The results showed high embryo viability in all species and indicated that most taxa exhibited either no dormancy or relatively shallow physiological dormancy. Germination tests revealed that 14 of the 26 species presented high germination percentages in the control treatment, which suggests that after-ripening contributed to dormancy release in a significant portion of the seed lot. However, it remains unclear whether freshly collected seeds require an initial after-ripening period before responding to cold stratification. Furthermore, cold stratification significantly enhanced germination in 12 species confirming its effectiveness as a simple and practical method for dormancy release. In addition to the seed germination results, the selected species present a wide range of functional and esthetic characteristics, including variation in plant height, flowering phenology and flower and leaf color. These traits are important for both ecological performance and visual quality in urban environments. The combination of extended flowering periods and color diversity suggests the potential for continuous floral resource availability, which can support diverse pollinator communities and, indirectly, urban fauna such as insectivorous birds. The results indicate that the studied species are suitable for biodiversity-oriented urban plantings. Their relatively shallow dormancy and ease of propagation, coupled with their functional and aesthetic traits, support their use in the development of resilient and self-sustaining urban meadows. Full article

Ormosia macrocalyx grows in tropical forests and is endangered in Mexico. The species has ecological and economic importance. To evaluate the relationship between fruit length and seed number, Pearson correlation and principal component analysis were used. A linear mixed-effects model was also applied. Pearson correlation, principal components analysis (PCA) and a Linear Mixed-Effects Model (LMM) were performed on an exploratory basis. In addition, seed coat and cotyledon anatomy were examined, and histochemical tests for secondary metabolites were carried out. Two high correlations and two components were obtained from the PCA, and the LMM showed that fruit length influenced the number of seeds per fruit. In the seed coats, differentiated layers of macrosclereids and osteosclereids were identified, where the hilar region presented macrosclereids and a pyriform bar of tracheids, the reserved cotyledons showed double-walled cells and simple plasmodesmata, the histochemical analyses demonstrated the presence of cellulose, condensed tannins, lipids, alkaloids, and proteins, and no starch was present. This study provides the first description of seed coat and cotyledon anatomy in O. macrocalyx, as well as the first report of secondary metabolites in storage cotyledons. These results could be useful for further studies of this species. Full article

Salinity stress is a major constraint affecting rice establishment and productivity in many coastal and salt-affected regions of the world, as well as in Bangladesh. Seed priming has emerged as an effective technique to enhance seed germination, seedling vigor and growth, and stress tolerance. To address this challenge, the present study investigated the potential of four different seed-priming agents (non-, hydro-(H₂O), osmo-(Polyethylene glycol, 30%), nano-(Zinc EDTA (12%), and 170 ppm) applied to two rice varieties (Binadhan-10 and BINA dhan25) under four levels of salinity stress (0, 5, 8, and 11 dS m⁻¹), with the aim of enhancing germination, improving the seedling vigor index, and promoting early growth performance in a completely randomized design with four replications. Nano-priming with Zinc EDTA (12%, at 170 ppm) involves soaking seeds in a solution containing this concentration of zinc chelate, which can improve seedling vigor and stress resilience, especially under challenging conditions like salinity. The results indicated that salinity significantly reduced germination and seedling growth, whereas seed priming improved seed performance under stress conditions. Among the treatments, nano-priming showed the most pronounced improvement in germination and seedling vigor. Binadhan-10 exhibited a greater tolerance to salinity compared with BINA dhan25. Multivariate analyses, including principal component analysis, correlation analysis, and heatmap, revealed strong positive relationships among germination, vigor index, and seedling biomass traits. The findings demonstrate that seed priming, particularly nano-priming, can effectively enhance rice seed germination, the vigor index, and different seedling traits under saline conditions, providing a promising strategy for improving rice production in salt-affected areas in Bangladesh. Full article

The utilization of cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is essential in hybrid seed production; however, its operational value in eggplant is insufficiently documented under practical conditions. This study compared CMS-based and conventional (non-CMS) hybridization systems with respect to flower production, flower functionality, and hybrid seed production efficiency, quantified as seed and viable seedling output per unit time, in three eggplant cultivars (‘Emi’, ‘Langada’, and ‘Tsakoniki’) in intra- and interspecific crosses. CMS did not affect total flower production or inflorescence architecture, which were primarily genotype-dependent. However, it altered flower opening, resulting in genotype- and position-dependent proportions of semi-opened and closed flowers at anthesis. Despite this effect, sufficient flowers suitable for hybridization remained available across all genotypes. CMS substantially simplified the hybridization process by eliminating emasculation, reducing flower manipulation time by approximately 55%, and increasing crossing rate by nearly twofold. Importantly, CMS did not negatively affect female fertility, as indicated by comparable percentages of successful crosses and high seed germination rates across cytoplasmic backgrounds. Seed production per fruit was moderately but significantly increased in intraspecific crosses, while it remained comparable between CMS and non-CMS systems for the interspecific crosses. As a result, CMS significantly increased hybrid seed output and effective seedling production per unit time in intraspecific crosses, while similar trends were observed in interspecific crosses, with gains ranging from 86% to 184% depending on genotype and pollen parent. Overall, this study demonstrates, from an operational perspective, that CMS enhances the efficiency of eggplant hybrid seed production by reducing labor requirements and increasing output per unit time without compromising reproductive performance. These findings highlight the practical value of CMS as a tool for improving hybrid seed production systems, including applications in both commercial hybrid development and rootstock breeding. Full article

Plant–animal relationships, such as endozoochory, are crucial for ecosystem dynamics as they improve seed dispersal as well as enhance plant reproductive success. This study investigated the ecological role of camels in seed dispersal and in breaking physical dormancy of three wild perennial Fabaceae species (Retama raetam, Vachellia tortilis subsp. raddiana, and Genista saharae) dominant in Algerian Saharan rangelands. Feeding trials were conducted with four adult female camels (Camelus dromedarius). Each animal received 1500 manually extracted seeds per species in three doses mixed with the regular ration, and feces were collected for 24 days to recover seeds. Untreated control seeds were kept under identical environmental conditions. The results showed that camels contribute to seed dispersal and influence germination differently among species. Seeds of Retama raetam were rapidly excreted, favoring local dispersal and increasing germination from 8% to 32%. Genista saharae seeds showed early excretion and longer retention, promoting wider dispersal and increasing germination from 16% to 52%. Vachellia tortilis subsp. raddiana showed an intermediate pattern, with germination rising from 39% to 70%. Gut passage affected seed size in Genista saharae and Vachellia tortilis subsp. raddiana, while no change occurred in Retama raetam. These findings highlight the camel’s ecological role as a biological vector improving seed viability and supporting regeneration. Full article