Abstract
Climate change and various global crises have introduced significant challenges to food security. The agricultural sector faces the consequences of extreme weather conditions, such as heatwaves, droughts, floods, and other unpredictable events that impact crop yields and pose threats to both plants and animals. The loss of biodiversity and destruction of natural habitats crucial for agriculture limit options for adaptation in changing conditions. Pollution of soil, water, and air further jeopardizes the quality and safety of food, while excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides raises concerns for human health and ecosystems. The issues of global overpopulation and overconsumption strain natural resources like land, water, and energy, making it increasingly difficult to produce enough food. Urbanization and infrastructure development further diminish available agricultural land, exacerbating food security concerns. Collectively, these factors raise profound questions about food security in many parts of the world, necessitating innovative solutions.
Amid these challenges, the utilization of technological innovations, such as seed priming, stands as a relevant and crucial component of addressing agricultural problems and enhancing food security. Seed priming is an essential agrotechnical practice in which seeds undergo treatment with various factors, including water, chemical solutions, and physical influences like magnetic fields or UV irradiation, before sowing. These processes enhance seed quality, stress resistance, and efficiency in changing agro-climatic conditions, ultimately contributing to better crop growth outcomes.
The modern trend in agriculture is shifting away from traditional chemical compounds towards physical methods. This transition is driven by the need for innovative, environmentally friendly, and economically competitive techniques within the seed industry. Biotechnological and molecular tools, products, and treatments play a vital role in advancing the seed industry by improving seed quality, crop yields, and reducing environmental impact.
Physical methods for seed invigoration offer numerous advantages over chemical treatments. They can reduce the dependency on fertilizers, consequently reducing contamination of raw materials produced on farms. Additionally, physical methods can disinfect seeds during storage and before sowing. The impact of physical treatments on seed invigoration is influenced by factors such as the type and dose of magnetic fields or radiation, as well as plant characteristics, including cultivar, species, age, ploidy, and the complexity of the target tissue or organ. Recent research in toxicology has introduced the concept of hormesis, which involves using minimal toxin concentrations for stimulation. Reports suggest that seed irradiation can stimulate germination, photosynthetic pigment production, and plant growth, though prolonged exposure may have detrimental effects.
Seed priming, primarily, is a well-established treatment that temporarily stimulates pre-germinative metabolism, activating processes related to DNA repair and antioxidant functions. It effectively enhances seed germination, vigor, field establishment, and seed growth under adverse environmental conditions. Techniques like osmo-priming and hydropriming have shown promise in rehabilitating low-vigor seeds. In the field of seed technology, physical methods have demonstrated greater effectiveness than traditional methods. One of the new physical methods of pre-sowing seed treatment is the use of ultraviolet irradiation and especially the use of UV-C irradiation. This method is usually non-invasive, cost-effective and environmentally friendly. In this work we reviewed the use of physical seed treatment methods, highlighting their potential advantages and disadvantages, and discussed the prospects of these methods to meet the needs of consumers, and seed producers.
Keywords
SeedprimingPrimingagentsHydroprimingPhysiologicalresponseAbioticstressSalinityBioprimingOsmoprimingUltravioletradiationUV-CradiationElectricfieldsElectromagneticfieldsWeakmagnetic fieldsIonizingradiation