Seeds

The objective of this research was to apply morphometric and chemometric techniques to analyze the influence of climate and soil type on the morphological, proximate, and fatty acid fingerprints of moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) seeds cultivated in different regions of Mexico. Seeds were collected from the states of Chiapas, Michoacán, Nuevo León, Oaxaca, Veracruz, and Yucatán. The morphological traits of the seeds were evaluated, while the proximate composition and fatty acid profiles of the seed flours were analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Data were assessed through analysis of variance (ANOVA) and linear discriminant analysis to develop their fingerprint profiles. The results showed that the morphological variables that constituted the climate-based morphological fingerprint were seed length, width, seed weight, and kernel weight, whereas for the soil type-based fingerprint, only seed length was significant. Regarding the proximate chemical composition, all variables (fat, ash, moisture, and protein), except fiber content, were influenced by both climate and soil type, forming the proximate chemical fingerprint. The fatty acid fingerprint consisted of 21 compounds, with oleic, behenic, stearic, palmitic, and arachidic acids present in the highest concentrations. The fingerprints obtained from the different determinations were confirmed through cross-validation values exceeding 50%, according to the linear discriminant analysis validation technique. The fatty acid and proximate composition determinations showed the highest classification values (83–100%) and contributed most significantly to ensuring the fingerprinting of moringa seeds cultivated in Mexico. Full article

Seed dispersal by humans plays an important role in determining vegetation structure. The seeds of Asian plantain (Plantago asiatica L.) form adhesive mucilage upon hydration, facilitating their attachment to shoes and subsequent dispersal via epizoochory. We investigated the efficacy of this mechanism under various urban environmental conditions. After trampling wild P. asiatica stands, the number of seeds attached to shoe soles was counted. The remaining seeds were then counted after walking at designated distances (1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000 m). The following results were obtained: (1) The retention rate after walking 1000 m varied by shoe type (slip-on (kakkusu) work shoes, 15.4%; leather shoes, 3.4%; rubber boots, 2.7%; running shoes, 13.5%; and sandals, 12.4%). (2) Within the first 50 m of walking, on average more than half of the attached seeds fell off under all investigated conditions. Significantly fewer seeds remained after walking 50 m on asphalt (30.9% of the initial seeds) than on grass (48.2%), whereas after walking 1000 m, similar proportions (15.4% on asphalt and 15.7% on grass) remained on the work shoes. These results indicate that human-mediated short- and long-distance dispersal of mucilaginous seeds of this species is effective in diverse urban environments. Full article

Moringa oleifera (Lam.) is a multipurpose agroforestry tree cultivated worldwide for its nutritional, medicinal, and economic value, and it is increasingly grown commercially in subtropical regions, including Nepal. While vegetative propagation is feasible, large-scale production relies predominantly on seeds, making efficient germination critical for seedling establishment, uniform growth, sustainable production, and preservation of genetic diversity. Seed pre-treatments are widely recognized as a simple and effective approach to enhance germination, early seedling vigor, and nursery performance. This study evaluated the effects of seven pre-sowing treatments under controlled nursery conditions to determine the most effective method for improving Moringa oleifera seedling production. A total of 2100 seeds were used, with 100 seeds per treatment and three replicates, arranged in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Treatments included control (no pretreatment), normal water soaking (12 h and 24 h), alternating wetting (water) and drying cycles (12 h each), hot water soaking (60 °C for 5 min), cow urine soaking (1:2 of urine to water proportions for 12 h), and hydrochloric acid soaking (35% for 20 min). All pre-treatments were conducted at room temperature, and the seeds were subsequently sown in controlled nursery conditions. Seed germination was monitored twice daily for 30 days, and data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test to identify significant differences in germination performances. Results demonstrated that alternating wetting and drying produced the highest germination percentage (89%), shortest mean germination time (8.44 days), and strongest seedling vigor, outperforming all other treatments. Conversely, cow urine and acid treatments completely inhibited germination. This study recommends alternating wetting and drying as a simple, low-cost, and chemical-free pre-treatment to optimize Moringa oleifera seedling production in nurseries. These findings provide practical guidance for commercial and smallholder farmers, contributing to sustainable agroforestry, food security, and climate-resilient livelihoods in resource-limited habitats. Full article

Seed health testing is a cornerstone of global food security, yet traditional diagnostic workflows often struggle to balance speed, sensitivity, and regulatory confidence under low-prevalence and heterogeneous seed lot conditions. This review synthesizes recent advances in molecular diagnostics (PCR, qPCR, LAMP, and digital PCR), non-destructive imaging technologies (hyperspectral, X-ray, and thermal imaging), and data-driven analytical approaches for pathogen detection in seeds. Emphasis is placed on the practical integration of these tools within high-throughput, ISO/IEC 17025-compliant laboratory workflows, highlighting their respective strengths, limitations, and roles in risk-based decision-making. Comparative discussions address cost, sensitivity, turnaround time, and field deployability across diagnostic platforms, supported by crop- and pathogen-specific examples. Emerging approaches such as CRISPR-based biosensing, advanced sequencing, and imaging-assisted analytics are discussed in the context of validation, regulatory acceptance, and operational feasibility. By focusing on implementation rather than conceptual frameworks, this review provides a pragmatic reference for laboratories, regulators, and seed companies seeking to modernize seed health testing while safeguarding trade integrity and biosecurity. Full article

Soil salinization is one of the main factors limiting agricultural productivity, negatively affecting seed germination and initial growth of maize (Zea mays L.). As a sustainable alternative, seaweed-based biostimulants, especially extracts of Ascophyllum nodosum, have stood out in mitigating abiotic stresses. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of A. nodosum extract in inducing tolerance to saline stress in maize seeds of the AL Bandeirante cultivar. To this end, three independent bioassays were conducted under controlled conditions: (i) evaluation of five doses of the extract (0; 0.5; 1.0; 1.5 and 2.0 mL L⁻¹); (ii) effects of five osmotic potentials induced by NaCl (0, −0.2, −0.4, −0.6 and −0.8 MPa); and (iii) the interaction between the most efficient doses and salinity levels, comparing the extract to its mineral fraction. Seed germination, percentage of normal and abnormal seedlings, radicle and epicotyl length, and vigor index were measured. The results demonstrated that doses of 1.0 to 2.0 mL L⁻¹ promoted greater bioactivity, with a 7.3% increase in root length compared to the control. Although increased salinity progressively reduced all variables, with severe effects at −0.6 and −0.8 MPa, the treatment with the extract showed superior performance to the mineral fraction, demonstrating a mitigating effect. It is concluded that A. nodosum extract is an effective strategy to attenuate the damage caused by salinity on seed germination and initial seedling growth in maize, especially under moderate stress. Full article

Solanum torvum is an important medicinal and culinary vegetable with poor seed propagation, characterized by low germination and limited seed longevity. This study examined the effects of fruit maturity stage, storage temperature, duration, and endogenous hormonal profiles on seed germination. Fruits were harvested at three physiological maturity stages: matured green, ripe yellow, and overripe brown. Extracted seeds were stored in ambient (24–26 °C) and cold (3–8 °C) conditions for 24 weeks, with subsequent germination testing with 3 replicates per treatment. Endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellic acid (GA) were quantified using HPLC-DAD to assess their association with germination behaviour. Seeds from ripe yellow fruits achieved the highest germination (95%), with a mean germination time of 12 days and a mean germination rate of 8%, identifying this stage as the optimal maturity stage for harvest. While total germination percentage was enhanced by an after-ripening effect during the first 16 weeks of ambient storage, other vigour parameters, including mean germination time and rate and synchronization began to decline thereafter. ABA and GA concentrations displayed treatment-dependent variation across maturity stages and storage conditions, with hormonal trends showing complex associations with dormancy release rather than consistent main effects. These findings indicate that harvesting Solanum torvum fruits at the ripe yellow stage and storing seeds under ambient conditions for up to 16 weeks, under the conditions evaluated in this study, provides a practical balance between dormancy alleviation and seed vigour, thereby improving short-term propagation efficiency. Full article

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

Chickpea seed quality is highly susceptible to mechanical damage during handling and to rapid deterioration under postharvest storage. Atmospheric pressure Non-Thermal Plasma (NTP) has shown positive effects on seed quality in several species, but its long-term impact on chickpea remains poorly understood. This study evaluated the effect of NTP on the physiological germination process and postharvest deterioration of Cicer arietinum L. (Fabaceae) ’Felipe UNC-INTA’ seeds. Seeds were treated for three minutes with dielectric barrier discharge using O₂ and N₂ as carrier gases. Results showed that NTP optimized the triphasic germination response in embryo, especially in phases II and III, where radicle protrusion occurred earlier in treated (27 and 30 h) than in control (33 h) seeds, accompanied with a partition ratio < 1, indicating the roots’ preferential assimilate allocation. Fungal incidence decreased notably, e.g., Aspergillus decreased from 31% (control) to 11% (N₂) and 10% (O₂). O₂-treated seeds exhibited higher germination (94%) than the control (90%) and an 11% reduction in individual electrical conductivity, indicating enhanced membrane integrity. After six months of storage, both treatments delayed aging, maintaining higher vigor than untreated seeds. Overall, NTP emerges as a promising postharvest technology to enhance and preserve seed vigor and viability in C. arietinum. Full article