Role of Seed Priming in Root Development and Crop Production

Roots are the first structure emerging from the seed and are crucial for healthy plant growth under optimal and suboptimal growth conditions. Seed priming is a presowing controlled-hydration technique that enhances root growth, shoot emergence, and crop yield under diverse climatic conditions. This chapter highlights the physiology of root development during germination and seed-priming-induced modulation during germination that affects the root growth and development. It further elaborates on a role of different seed priming techniques in early root development. The effect of abiotic stresses on root development and the role of seed priming in the modulation of root growth under suboptimal growth conditions and its subsequent effect on abiotic stress tolerance have also been described. Intensive cropping, to meet rising food demands, and changing climate are threatening the sustainability of agriculture. Seed priming is a cost-effective strategy helping achieve the sustainability of agriculture through profitable crop production on marginal soils and in limited-resource conditions, ensuring food security and socio-economic and environmental sustainability. Seed priming with different plant growth regulators improves root growth that enhances nutrient and water uptake, leading to improved plant growth and increased yields under optimal as well as stress conditions.