Editorial: Seed Science and Technology. Volume 51 Issue 1 (2023)

Abstract

Seed quality is the basis for differential crop productivity. Seed companies depend on the quality of the seeds for the seed trade, while farmers depend on the quality of the seeds to improve their productivity and secure their livelihood. Germination and varietal identification/purity are fundamental aspects of seed quality that are of prime importance to the global seed trade. Seed germination is influenced by several factors among which are the genetic factors and environmental cues of the prevailing growing conditions where the plant grows. Among these cues, climate change fundamentally affects crop development at all stages, starting from germination and seedling growth, to flowering and fruiting. Several methods have been formulated and validated for the evaluation of the varietal identification/purity for some crops, facilitate synchronised seed germination and enhance uniform field establishment for optimum crop yield in the face of climate change. This issue of Seed Science and Technology includes papers discussing the application of some of the methods, for example, prechilling and the use of exogenous gibberellin to stimulate germination, the use of tetrazolium as a quick viability test for rice seeds, the applied phenol test for varietal identification of rice seeds, and seed priming to enhance germination of Corethrodendron multijugum seeds. In addition, the physiological response of seed to soil salinity and storage environment conditions are also discussed.