Seed Quality Enhancement Techniques

Introduction

Seed enhancement treatments are post-harvest treatments which improve germination, field emergence, seedling development and establishment, early vegetative growth and crop productivity. These techniques are also useful in the maintenance of seed quality during storage.

The advantages of seed enhancement treatments are: Rapid and uniform germination as well as seedling establishment under optimum and sub-optimum conditions:

•  Reduced interval between sowing and seedling emergence.

•  Increased early vegetative and root growth.

•  Improvement in reliability of plant stand establishment.

•  Protects the seed from abiotic and biotic stresses.

•  Higher crop yields and quality.

•  Protection from insect-pests and diseases.

•  Better seed storage potential.

Commonly used seed enhancement treatments are seed priming, seed treatment with chemicals, botanicals, biologically active microorganisms, polymer coating, pelleting and magnetic treatment.

For further information please contact :

Indian Agricultural Research Institute,
New Delhi,
Delhi 110012