Utilization and challenges of seed priming techniques in agricultural crops: Prospects for the future

Seed priming is an effective pre-sowing technique that enhances seed germination, seedling vigor, and nutrient uptake, ultimately improving crop establishment and yield. While numerous studies have demonstrated the agronomic benefits of various seed priming methods, fewer have comprehensively addressed the associated challenges or explored future directions. This review highlights the multifaceted benefits of seed priming beyond crop performance enhancement, including its role in inducing biochemical, physiological, molecular, cellular, and subcellular changes that strengthen plant tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Despite these advantages, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding the limitations of seed priming across different crop types and environmental conditions. The findings underscore the potential of seed priming as a sustainable tool for improving agricultural productivity and ensuring food security. The review advocates for future research into integrated priming strategies, such as combining multiple priming methods and calls for deeper investigation into the mechanisms governing interactions between priming duration, sowing time, seed quality, and crop response. These insights are vital for advancing the practical application of seed priming to address global food production challenges.