Search Results (97)

Salinity limits early rice establishment by imposing osmotic stress, ionic imbalance, and poor early seedling growth. Magnetic-field seed treatment has been explored mainly using static magnetic fields (SMFs), whereas low-intensity pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) remain less defined as physical seed-treatment inputs under salinity. Here, we directly compared SMF and 10 Hz PEMF under matched low-intensity conditions to determine whether PEMF can function as an effective physical seed treatment in rice. Seeds of Oryza sativa L. cv. Phitsanulok 2 were exposed to SMF (2.0 mT) or PEMF (10 Hz, approximately 2.0 mT peak) using three protocols—1 h before sowing, 10 min daily after sowing, or a combined schedule—followed by germination under 150 mM NaCl. Magnetic exposure had limited effect on final germination percentage, but a single 1 h pre-sowing treatment with either SMF or PEMF significantly increased the germination rate index under salinity. This protocol also improved root length, seedling dry weight, and seedling vigour, whereas repeated daily exposure produced less consistent benefits. Redox analysis showed that PEMF increased H₂O₂ at 48 h but reduced H₂O₂ at 96 and 120 h compared with the untreated saline control at the corresponding sampling time. PEMF also produced the clearest increase in extractable DPPH radical-scavenging activity at 120 h. Ion analysis showed that the 1 h pre-sowing treatment improved tissue ion balance, as reflected by lower Na⁺ accumulation, improved K⁺ status, and a reduced Na⁺/K⁺ concentration ratio, particularly in roots. Overall, this study identifies a timing-specific low-intensity magnetic-treatment window for improving early rice establishment under salinity and positions 10 Hz PEMF as a testable non-chemical physical treatment associated with redox remodeling and improved ion homeostasis. Full article

Soil salinity is one of the main environmental factors limiting plant germination and establishment, particularly in Mediterranean ecosystems. This study evaluated the germination, recovery, and early development of Dittrichia viscosa exposed to NaCl, KCl, CaCl₂, MgCl₂, and an equimolar mixture (0–360 mM) under a 12 h light–dark regime and continuous darkness. In the absence of salt, final germination was similar under both regimes, although it was faster in the dark. Increased salt concentration reduced and delayed germination, depending on the type of salt and the light regime used. KCl maintained the highest germination percentages under the light–dark regime at 90 and 180 mM, whilst CaCl₂ and MgCl₂ were the most inhibitory individual salts at 180 mM. The salt mixture was the most restrictive under both regimes. Following transfer to a salt-free medium, ungerminated seeds showed a high rate of recovery even after exposure to the highest concentrations of individual salts, indicating that the inhibition was largely reversible. The first two components of the principal component analysis (PCA) explained 71.89% of the variation, linking germination and its rate to seedling vigour. Overall, D. viscosa showed considerable germination tolerance to individual salts but high sensitivity to their combined action. Full article

Global population growth, climatic extremes and rising resource pressures necessitate innovative agricultural methods to boost food, feed, fibre and fuel production sustainably. Seed enhancement technologies (SETs), such as seed coating and priming, have emerged as effective strategies to improve seed viability and vigour, seedling establishment and overall crop yield. Conventional seed treatments include seed coating (film coating, encrusting, pelleting) and seed priming (hydro-, osmo-, halo- bio-, nutri-, hormonal-, chemical- and solid matrix priming). They offer advantages such as improved seed handling, uniform germination and promotion of early growth. However, they also have significant drawbacks, including on soil health and off-target pollution from synthetic polymers and pesticides, seed longevity issues from re-drying and outcomes that can vary among different crops, soils and environments. To tackle these issues, new non-traditional SETs are being investigated, including nanotechnology, novel biodegradable coatings and agrichemical-free biostimulants, such as plant growth promoting microorganisms. These innovative methods demonstrate great promise in enhancing active and crop performance while minimising environmental impacts by providing alternatives to materials derived from fossil fuels and that contribute to waste and pollution. This review critically examines both conventional and novel SETs, discusses their pros and cons and outlines strategic research and industry directions to enhance agricultural sustainability and productivity in light of global food and resource security challenges. Full article

Understanding the biochemical networks governing seed longevity is essential for germplasm conservation. Integrating germination potential with biochemical profiling elucidates metabolic transitions during decadal cold storage. As phenotypic evidence of ageing, extended cold storage induces a uniform decline in germination energy, reaching a terminal “floor effect” characterised by the complete exhaustion of repair-and-defence strategies, whilst residual germination capacity averages 21%. Metabolic profiling reveals that prolonged storage causes systemic decoupling of the protein–sugar axis, leading to the loss of protein-dependent vigour. The structural collapse of the proteomic architecture—manifested by the decoupling of embryo albumin-led coordination and endosperm α-zein dynamics—induces a transition to a low-vigour state, paralleled by carbohydrate shifts consistent with glassy matrix destabilisation, implicitly linking the displacement of sucrose-dominated stability to the molecular crowding of reducing sugars. Re-anchoring germination potential from primary metabolic drivers to soluble-free phenolics prompts a compensatory antioxidant reorganisation; under conditions of phenolic matrix degradation and carotenoid exhaustion, the observed stability of total antioxidant capacity likely reflects scavenging sustained by phenolic degradation products rather than native, intact protective mechanisms. Ultimately, seed ageing manifests as a genotype-specific systemic reconfiguration of biochemical coordination, where the physiological state of the cytoplasmic matrix and the maintenance of redox homeostasis determine residual viability, thereby defining the critical benchmarks for germplasm longevity. Full article

Nano-priming has emerged as a novel technology for improving seed germination, vigour, and stress tolerance, and enhancing nutrient uptake in cereal grains, especially rice and wheat. This study presents a bibliometric analysis of 6302 publications obtained by a Boolean search query from the Scopus database, executed in November 2025. The dataset was further refined by using strict inclusion–exclusion criteria and mapped for the intellectual, geographic, and collaborative structure of the research on the topic under study at the global level. Country-level research productivity, subject-area distribution, annual publication trajectories, source-level publication patterns, and co-authorship networks are part of this study. The analysis revealed a highly skewed global publication distribution dominated by China, India, and Pakistan, which are major global hubs for nanotechnology-assisted seed treatment research, on the nano-priming of seeds. Agricultural sciences, environmental sciences, materials science, and nanotechnology emerged as dominant interdisciplinary contributors to nano-priming research. Annual publication trends continue to show an exponential rise since 2013, driven by growing interests in nanotechnology-enabled crop improvement. Co-authorship analysis revealed dense collaborative clusters centred in South and East Asia, interconnected through key bridging authors. The bibliometric evaluation, together with evidence-based synthesis of experimental studies, highlighted zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, silver, iron oxide, chitosan, and carbon-based nanomaterials as the main hotspots driving physiological enhancement in rice and wheat through enzymatic activation, nutrient uptake, and stress-resilience pathways. Nanotechnology-based seed treatments in rice and wheat offer a promising and sustainable approach to enhance crop productivity, stress tolerance, nutrient-use efficiency, and global food security under changing environmental conditions. Full article

The increasing volume of plant waste generated by the agro-food industry presents significant environmental and economic challenges. This review synthesizes peer-reviewed literature on the valorization of fruit and vegetable by-products as seed priming agents, focusing on extraction approaches, bioactive compounds, physiological mechanisms, and practical limitations. Seed priming with plant extracts derived from agro-food by-products has emerged as a sustainable approach to enhance seed germination, seedling vigour, and tolerance to abiotic stresses. Recent findings on the composition of bioactive compounds in plant waste, extraction techniques, and the physiological and biochemical effects of these extracts on seeds and seedlings are reviewed. Phenolics, flavonoids, and phytohormones present in these extracts activate antioxidant enzymes and promote secondary metabolite accumulation, mitigating oxidative damage and improving seedling performance. Critical analysis highlights the potential of plant-waste-based extracts for sustainable agriculture and identifies research gaps to optimize their practical application. Full article

Sorghum is a resilient crop important for sustainable intensification in semi-arid regions, yet the impact of variable seeding rates on its early development remains under-researched. This research investigated the early establishment of hybrid sorghum under three seeding strategies, ”Uniformise” (medium density across all zones), “Optimise” (increased density in low-soil apparent Electrical Conductivity (ECa)), and “Maximise” (increased density in high-soil ECa), at the Herdade da Comenda (Innovation Center—Elvas, Portugal). Crop performance was monitored over 33 days, the established window for safe direct grazing, using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) multispectral imagery to derive the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Canopy Cover (Cveg), alongside physical sampling of plant height and biomass. Statistical analysis revealed that both the seeding strategy and soil variability significantly affected early growth. The “Uniformise” strategy recorded the highest plant height, NDVI, and Cveg values, whereas the “Optimise” strategy performed the poorest. Additionally, an accumulation of 407.5 Growing Degree-Days (GDDs; °C) accelerated the phenological cycle by five days relative to the climatological normal. Despite differences in vegetative vigour, no statistically significant variations were observed in final biomass across the strategies. These results indicate that while the “Uniformise” approach provided a more balanced environment for early establishment under these specific Mediterranean conditions, the lack of biomass differentiation highlights the potential for resource optimisation. The study demonstrates that UAV-based remote sensing is a useful diagnostic tool to identify these spatial limitations, providing the data to refine variable-rate seeding (VRS) algorithms and improve the economic efficiency of precision sowing. Full article

Seed germination and early root growth are decisive for crop establishment, yet responses to ionic environments can be strongly genotype-dependent. This study evaluated the effect of supplementing an agar-based in vitro system with a commercial NPK fertilizer on the germination dynamics and early seedling traits of Raphanus sativus L. Seeds were tested in two solid media: A (1.3% agar, no fertilizer) and AF (1.3% agar supplemented with 0.45 g of granular NPK fertilizer (15–30–15) per 200 mL medium), using a completely randomized 3 × 2 factorial design. Germination percentage and synchrony are key constituents of seedlot evaluation because they jointly capture both viability and the temporal coordination of emergence. However, final germination percentage alone does not reflect the timing and uniformity of germination, which can be critical for predicting establishment and subsequent performance. Therefore, indices such as mean germination time (MGT), coefficient of velocity of germination (CVG), and interval germination rates are frequently employed to describe germination dynamics. In addition to germination dynamics, early seedling morphometry (e.g., root and hypocotyl traits) can provide complementary information on early vigor and stress sensitivity under contrasting media or environmental conditions. Root elongation was significantly reduced by fertilization in ASD and GE, whereas AS exhibited consistently shorter roots with no significant response. PCA summarized 86.3% of the total variance in the first two components, separating treatments along a vigour/architecture axis and a germination capacity axis (%G), and hierarchical clustering identified five response groups. Overall, a low-cost agar + fertilizer system effectively discriminated genotype-specific sensitivity to an ionic environment during early establishment, highlighting the need to consider variety-dependent thresholds when using commercial fertilizers for in vitro screening. 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

Chilli (Capsicum annuum) is a popular spice and vegetable crop of significant economic importance that is cultivated worldwide in warm and humid climatic zones. Although chilli is a thermophilic crop, its quality and yield potential are significantly affected due to various abiotic factors, including extremely fluctuating temperatures beyond the optimum temperatures (18–30 °C). Global warming and anthropogenic activities lead to adverse climatic changes, imposing severe stress on growth, development, and productivity. High temperatures above 43–45 °C adversely affect chilli crops, especially during the reproductive stages, by causing immature fruit dropping, poor seed vigour, reduced number of flowers, flower abscission, aborted reproductive organs, reduced fruit set, and significant yield loss by 50%. Therefore, to reduce quantitative and qualitative losses, heat management is necessary from April to June in Pakistan, when the temperature rises beyond 40 °C. For heat management, the hybridisation of heat-resilient and high-yielding genotypes to develop heat-tolerant high-yielding hybrids appears to be a rational approach. These genetically improved hybrids inherit such characteristics that assist in maintaining vigorous growth, fruit quality, and stable yield without significant yield losses even under heat-stressed conditions. Hence, the thermotolerant chilli hybrids developed through hybridisation help to satisfy the escalating demand for chilli and guarantee the financial stability of farmers. Full article

Wheat productivity and seed quality are often constrained by nutrient imbalances and environmental stress, which can be mitigated through biostimulants and nanofertilisers. This study evaluated the effects of foliar applications of nanoparticulate sulphur (SNP) and hydrolysed amino acids (AAs) on wheat agronomic performance and seed quality under contrasting environmental conditions in Paraná, Brazil, during the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons. The experiment was conducted in four environments, using a randomised block design, with a 5 × 2 factorial scheme and four replications. Parameters included grain yield, yield components, and physiological and nutritional seed traits. SNP positively influenced the number of grains per ear and spikes per metre, with quadratic responses peaking at 1.048 kg ha⁻¹ for SNP and 0.347 kg ha⁻¹ for S, respectively. However, AAs showed no significant effects, likely due to favourable climatic conditions and high soil fertility. Regarding seed quality, a positive response in seed vigour was observed at 2 kg ha⁻¹ SNP in one environment, while other parameters showed no consistent improvement. Principal component analysis indicated that environment and soil fertility were the main sources of variation in yield and seed quality. Overall, foliar SNP and AA applications did not markedly enhance wheat performance under non-stressful conditions. Full article

Contemporary seed gene bank management emphasizes the importance of understanding seed storage behaviour to maximize the preservation of genetic material. In this context, the patterns of naturally occurring ageing-related changes in physiological and biochemical markers were evaluated by comparing the performance of freshly regenerated seed samples (control) to samples kept under cold storage (CS) for 37 years (original, CS1 samples) and five years (CS2 samples). A significant decline in seed viability and physiological quality—initial seedling development—was directly associated with the duration of cold storage, leading to a marked reduction in seedling vigour index (SVI) performance. Key biochemical markers influencing early seedling growth and vigour included total protein, the glutelins protein fraction, fructose, sucrose, both insoluble-bound and soluble-free phenolics—including phenolic acids, and β-carotene. The CS2 samples, which experienced severe water deficit during the post-zygotic phase, exhibited increased sucrose, insoluble-bound p-coumaric acid (p-CouA), insoluble-bound ferulic acid (FA), and α-tocopherol contents. Conversely, glutelins and glucose contents decreased, while genotype-specific variations were observed in albumins, globulins, fructose, maltose, insoluble-bound caffeic acid, and soluble-free p-CouA, as well as in β+γ- and δ-tocopherol contents. Given the consistent pattern of natural ageing-related changes, β-carotene, lutein+zeaxanthin, insoluble-bound FA, and particularly soluble-free FA emerge as relevant biomarkers for improved monitoring of ageing processes under ex situ conservation. Full article

Growers rarely use the grafting method on a double-root system due to limited information on the added advantages for increased plant vigour and yield of soilless-grown cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). The study aimed to investigate the effect of combining rootstock cultivar and the grafting method on the growth, yield, and quality of soilless-grown cucumber in a non-temperature-controlled (NTC) tunnel. Two rootstock cultivars, Flexifort (Flex) (Cucurbita maxima × Cucurbita moschata) and Ferro (Fer) (C. maxima × C. moschata), were grafted with scion cultivar Hoplita (H) to either single- (1R) or double- (2R) root systems, and the original scion root system was combined with either a Flexifort or Ferro rootstock (O1R) to two root systems and a non-grafted plant (Hoplita). Plants were grown in 10 L containers filled with sawdust as a growing medium. The leaf number was higher in ‘HO1RFlex’ combinations, while the non-grafted plants had a significantly lower leaf number. Thicker stem diameter was obtained from non-grafted plants. The tallest plants were obtained from HO1Fer combinations at 39, 53, and 101 days after transplanting (DAT), while non-grafted plants at 25 and 101 DAT were the shortest plants. Plants grafted to single- or double-root systems, regardless of rootstock cultivar, had higher early, marketable, and total yield compared to non-grafted cucumber. Many medium-sized fruits were obtained in ‘HO1RFlex’ combinations during the early harvest. The total soluble solids (TSSs) of cucumber juice were higher in ‘H1RFer’ while fruit mineral content was not affected by the combined rootstock cultivar and grafting method. Grafting to a double-root system using the original scion roots combined with rootstock or double rootstock had a limited effect compared to plants grafted to a single-root system. It is recommended that scion be grafted to a single-root system of either rootstock Ferro or Flexifort compared to a double-root system, particularly for the cost effectiveness of seeds and labour used in grafting, as well as for improved vegetative growth, including early marketable and total yield of cucumber. The growing containers of various sizes need further investigation to allow for the root extension and growth of grafted plants. Full article

Sprouts are gaining popularity among consumers worldwide due to their high nutritional properties. A comparative evaluation of novel and environmentally friendly pre-sowing seed treatment techniques was conducted to enhance wheat sprout production. Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF), cold atmospheric plasma (CAP), and high-pressure processing (HP) at 200 and 600 MPa were applied on durum wheat seeds for 3 and 10 min. The above techniques, along with ozonation (OZ), were also applied for 3 and 10 min for the “activation” of water that was used for immersion of the wheat seeds. Seed germination percentage, root and shoot length, and seedling dry weight were the measurements for the comparative evaluation of 21 treatments of seeds growing in Petri dishes. The results indicated that CAP, PEMF, and OZ treatments had positive effects on wheat sprout production, while prolonged exposure to HP processing appeared to stress the seeds. Overall, the multiple comparisons of four processing technologies, applied by two methods and at two exposure times, could be a benchmark study for further understanding the response of seeds in pre-sowing techniques. Full article

The improvement of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. seed germination represents a crucial step towards the development of eco-biotechnological solutions for the sustainable propagation of aromatic plants. This study evaluated the effects of four biostimulant formulations, namely Amino 16 (amino acid-based), Razormin (humic–fulvic complex), Germinoseed (phytoextract-based), and Atonik (nitrophenolate), together with a non-treated control, on the germination efficiency and early growth of nine Lavandula genotypes under controlled laboratory conditions. A factorial design (9 × 5) with four replications was applied, and multiple germination indices were calculated. Data were analysed using a two-way ANOVA with genotype and treatment as main factors. Results indicated significant genotype-dependent responses. Amino 16 and Razormin markedly increased germination percentage, speed of emergence, and seedling vigour, achieving up to 100% germination in responsive genotypes such as ‘Ellagance Snow’ and ‘Blue Spear’. Correlation and clustering analyses revealed strong links between seed size, germination rate, and seedling development, suggesting a possible synergistic role of amino and humic substances in stimulating metabolic activation during germination. These findings demonstrate that eco-friendly biostimulants function as effective biotechnological activators of seed physiology, supporting low-input propagation systems and the transition toward a circular green bioeconomy. Full article