Seed Treatment and Physiological Quality in Agronomy

Seed treatment encompasses a suite of physical, chemical and biological interventions applied to seeds before sowing to enhance germination, seedling establishment and storage performance. Treatments range from fungicidal and insecticidal coatings to mineral nutrient pelleting and microbial inoculation, each tailored to protect the emerging embryo and modulate physiological processes. By improving water uptake, controlling pathogens and delivering growth-promoting compounds, seed treatment can raise uniformity of establishment, optimise early vigour and buffer seeds against abiotic stresses during storage. Assessments of physiological quality—through germination assays, vigour tests and accelerated-ageing protocols—guide the selection and dosage of treatments, ensuring that seed lots meet trade standards and support high-yielding cropping systems. In an era of sustainable intensification, innovations in seed coating formulations and biological priming are advancing the precision and environmental compatibility of treatment technologies, with clear benefits for global food security and resource-use efficiency.

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Seed Treatment and Physiological Quality in Agronomy publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in seed treatment and physiological quality in agronomy across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Germination: The process by which a seed embryo resumes growth and develops into a seedling under favourable environmental conditions.

Seed vigour: A measure of the speed and uniformity of germination and early seedling growth, reflecting the capacity of a seed lot to perform under variable field conditions.

Physiological quality: The overall potential of seeds to germinate, develop healthy seedlings and withstand storage, assessed by standardized laboratory tests.

Inoculant: A preparation of beneficial microorganisms, such as rhizobia or mycorrhizal fungi, applied to seeds to promote nutrient uptake and plant growth.

Accelerated ageing test: A vigour assessment in which seeds are subjected to high temperature and humidity to predict longevity and performance under stress.

References

1. Germination and Vigor of Soybean and Corn Seeds Treated with Mixed Mineral Fertilizers. Plants (2023).
2. Effect of Pesticides and a Long-Life Inoculant on Nodulation Process and Soybean Seed Quality during Storage. Agronomy (2023).
3. Effect of pre-sowing treatment of soybean seeds with inoculant and microelements for yield and quality in the conditions of south-east of Kazakhstan☆. OCL - Oilseeds and fats, Crops and Lipids (2024).