There are various reports saying that seed priming increased yield and quality of several crops. However, may other reports stipulate the the process can improve the seed quality in terms of germination vigour and uniformity in laboratory conditions. Kindly share your experience in this regard.
Dear Farooq Khan,
seed priming is one of the hydrating treatments. This treatment involves partial or complete swelling of the seeds. The principle of hydration treatment is to take water through the seed coat, in an amount that is sufficient to activate metabolic processes, but not to start germination. Drying of the seeds have to follow immediately after hydrating.
The aim of the seed priming is to improve the seed characteristics with an emphasis on faster and more balanced seed germination or seed emergence in field. It is likely that seed priming can cause a larger temperature range for germination, reduce secondary seed dormancy, etc.
Best regards,
Bozena
Depending upon the agents (hydrating agents, hormones, fertilizers, bio-agents, ago-chemicals etc.) used for seed priming, the crop yield and quality of crop produces is recorded to be enhanced in many crops. Seed priming is generally carried out to increase germination (%), plant vigor, avail nutrition/nutrients to young seedlings, provides protection to seedling against diseases and other pests which ultimately enhances the crop yield and quality of produce.
seed priming is controlled hydration treatment to initiate early metabolism of germination without radicle protrusion so that seed could remain in lag phase and resume its activity when planted in field condition. The main focus of priming is to enhance the production of antioxidants and other beneficial chemical components in seed, enable them to achieve maximum potential of genotypes under optimal or even suboptimal environmental conditions.
Try seed germination at different stage of seed maturation...then, you can test the seed viability and the effect of storage...It depends on your species.
I want to add here the duration and concentrations of priming agent/chemicals play a crucial role to get significant effect of seed priming.
Yes seed priming significantly increase germination percentage and seedling establishment by fastening physiological activities of seed.thus when seeds develop with good performance those seeds produce goody quality seeds at final, bc there is no any stress which hinder its gowth and development .
Yes, we all agree that seed priming has an overall positive effect on seed characteristics. But, do any of you have any negative comments or experiences? It can be connected by methodology, plant species, type of seeds/fruits ...
Seed priming is a process of regulating the germination process by managing the temperature and seed moisture content, the seed is taken through the first biochemical processes within the initial stages of germination. If the seed performance is regulated from the very beginning, then germination sprout and further growth (down or upward) direction will be enhanced. The field vigor of the crop will be optimized and/or maximized and finally yield can be higher.
Quality can be from different perspectives; physical quality of the produce such as appearance or colour of the seed/produce, size can be maximum in such type of operation/priming from the start. Moreover, quality characteristics/traits of reasonable size seeds, good colour and attractive appearance of any produce mostly show or express appreciable internal quality. The following link can help for further reading: https://www.intechopen.com/books/new-challenges-in-seed-biology-basic-and-translational-research-driving-seed-technology/seed-priming-new-comprehensive-approaches-for-an-old-empirical-technique
Thank you!!
Bozena Sera: Priming can have negative effects as well. If the priming protocol is not well-balanced seeds can be primed too far, which can result in lower germination and poor seedling quality. The most common negative effect of priming (even when performed with the right protocol), however, is reduced shelf life of seeds.
Dear Ruud Nabben, thanks for your comment. Yes I see, in methodology, I feel it works this way in general.
Does anyone know if is there any plant species (or type of seed/fruit) where the seed priming is insufficient or inappropriate treatment?
Primary purpose of seed priming is to impart better crop/plant stand establishment. For achieving higher yield and better seed quality attributes alternative and more reliable means/methods are available.
Well I think seed priming hasten germination as well as enhaces germination that lead to better growth and better plant stand per unit area. Good plant stand and better growth will lead to higher yield per unit area.
Seed priming was particularly found detrimental to the Chickpea crop. However, it played role in ushering good germination in cereal crops.
The following should be considered when seed priming: 1- Oxygen: The seed is a living organism, so it should not be placed in the priming solution for a long time because it causes suffocation of the seed. Also very concentrated solutions are hypoxic and should be oxygenated during priming. 2- Pathogens: be managed. 3- Temperature: during priming and also during storage of primed seeds. 4- Time: Priming time and storage time of primed seeds. 5- Concentration 6- The combination used 7- Light 8- Seed quality
Several seed priming treatments, including hydro- (HP), potassium nitrate- (KNO3),and gibberellic acid-priming (GA3), were used to enhance germination and performanceunder Ssalt stress (SS). The purpose of these priming treatments was to shorten the emergenceperiod and protect the seeds from biotic and abiotic factors during the crucial phase ofseedling establishment, synchronizing emergence and leading to a uniform stand andimproved yields. Priming is a rehydrating approach that uses different biochemical agentsto allow regulated seed rehydration, stimulating metabolic processes that are ordinarilyactive during the early stages of germination, while preventing the seed from progressingto complete germination. Please follow link below for more details: (PDF) Seed Priming Enhances Seed Germination and Morphological Traits of Lactuca Sativa L. Under Salt Stress. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/359078379_Seed_Priming_Enhances_Seed_Germination_and_Morphological_Traits_of_Lactuca_Sativa_L_Under_Salt_Stress [accessed Apr 03 2022].
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