The Science behind Seed Vigour: Biological Trait Linking Seed Quality

Abstract

Under actual field conditions, successful crop establishment and overall productivity are determined by seed vigour and seed quality, which is a very important attribute of seed quality. Collected in contrast to the percentage of germination, which is used to report the performance of the seed under ideal laboratory conditions, seed vigour is used to report the ability of the seed to germinate quickly and uniformly, establish a healthy and synchronized stand of plants and withstand biotic and abiotic stresses. A complex interplay of physiological, biochemical and genetic processes which modulate reserve mobilisation, membrane integrity, metabolic efficiency and the pathways of stress responsiveness controls seed vigour in germination and early seedling development. The high-vigour seeds are characterized by a high performance in unfavorable environmental factors like drought, saline environment, extreme temperatures and non-optimal soils, which helps in maintaining stable yields. With the current problem of climate change and growing production limitations, seed vigour is crucial to sustainability in agriculture and food security. The measures to enhance seed vigour are the breeding, seed production and storage practices, and seed enhancement technology. The combination of these methods can enhance the performance of the seed in different environments and help to create a system of crops resistant to various weather conditions and able to adapt to the new patterns of climate change.