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Agronomy QUESTION #2102
Question 1
Seed priming is an agronomic technique that improves crop establishment by:
  • Coating seeds with systemic fungicides to prevent seed-borne diseases during germination
  • Controlled hydration of seeds to a water potential that allows pre-germinative metabolic activity (DNA repair, enzyme activation, osmoprotectant synthesis) to proceed without radicle emergence, followed by re-drying — resulting in faster, more uniform germination and emergence under field stress conditions✔️
  • Exposing seeds to gamma radiation to induce beneficial mutations for stress tolerance
  • Treating seeds with growth regulators to extend their storage life and viability
Correct Answer Explanation
Seed priming (hydropriming, osmopriming with PEG, halopriming with KNO₃/KH₂PO₄, or biopriming with PGPR) allows seeds to advance through Phase I (imbibition) and Phase II (metabolic activity) of germination without entering Phase III (radicle emergence). Benefits: faster mean germination time, improved uniformity, enhanced stress tolerance, and better seedling vigor — particularly valuable for establishment in cold, saline, or drought-prone soils.