Explain seed enhancement with its merits. Describe in brief about the various practices used for seed enhancement.

What is Seed Enhancement?

Seed enhancement encompasses a range of techniques applied to seeds before planting to improve their germination, seedling establishment, and overall performance. It goes beyond traditional seed treatment, which primarily focuses on pest and disease control. It is essentially a holistic approach to priming the seed for optimal growth.

Merits of Seed Enhancement

• Improved Germination & Vigor: Enhanced seeds exhibit higher germination rates and stronger seedlings, crucial for overcoming adverse environmental conditions.
• Enhanced Nutrient Uptake: Nutritional priming can improve the seedling's ability to absorb nutrients from the soil, leading to better growth.
• Increased Stress Tolerance: Seed enhancement techniques like osmopriming can increase tolerance to drought, salinity, and temperature stress.
• Reduced Reliance on Chemical Inputs: Biostimulants and bio-priming can reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, promoting sustainable agriculture.
• Enhanced Yield Potential: Ultimately, improved seedling vigor and stress tolerance translate to higher crop yields.

Practices Used for Seed Enhancement

Several techniques are employed for seed enhancement, each with its specific mechanism and benefits. Here’s a brief overview:

1. Seed Priming

Priming involves soaking seeds in solutions (water, nutrients, hormones) for a specific period and then drying them before planting. This controlled hydration process activates metabolic processes within the seed.

• Water Priming: Simple and cost-effective, enhances germination.
• Nutrient Priming: Improves nutrient uptake and seedling vigor (e.g., potassium nitrate priming).
• Hormone Priming: Gibberellins and Cytokinins can promote germination and early seedling growth.

2. Seed Coating (Seed Dressing)

This involves coating seeds with various materials, including polymers, minerals, and biological agents. Seed coating provides protection and delivers nutrients directly to the seedling.

• Polymer Coating: Improves seed handling and protects against mechanical damage.
• Bio-coating: Incorporates beneficial microorganisms (e.g., Trichoderma) for disease control and growth promotion.

3. Biostimulation

This involves using biological substances and microorganisms to enhance plant growth and development. It's a relatively new area with promising results.

• Seaweed Extracts: Promote root development and stress tolerance.
• Humic Substances: Improve nutrient availability and soil structure.

4. Osmopriming

Seeds are soaked in osmotic solutions like polyethylene glycol (PEG) to induce mild water stress, making them more tolerant to future drought conditions.

Technique	Description	Benefits
Water Priming	Soaking seeds in water	Improved germination
Nutrient Priming	Soaking seeds in nutrient solutions	Enhanced nutrient uptake
Seed Coating	Coating seeds with polymers or bio-agents	Protection & nutrient delivery

Government Initiatives

The Indian government’s “Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana” (PKVY) promotes organic farming and includes seed enhancement as a key component. The National Food Security Mission (NFSM) also supports the development and distribution of quality seeds.

EXAMPLE: The ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) is actively involved in developing and distributing enhanced seeds, particularly for underutilized crops.