Seed priming enhances physiological and biochemical adaptation of food crops to abiotic and biotic stresses under global warming

Abstract

Seed priming, a simple, low-cost, and eco-friendly pre-sowing technique, has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance crop tolerance under adverse conditions. It encompasses chemical, physical, and biological approaches, all of which involve controlled seed hydration or stimulation to activate early metabolic processes without radicle emergence. Seed priming improves germination, seedling vigor, and stand establishment while modulating key physiological, biochemical, and molecular pathways. These include enhanced antioxidant defenses, osmolyte accumulation, hormonal regulation, and stress-responsive gene expression. Collectively, these mechanisms strengthen plant resilience to abiotic and biotic stressors while stabilizing yield. This review highlights seed priming as a cornerstone of climate-smart agriculture and outlines research gaps and future directions for integrating priming with biotechnology and nanotechnology.