Advances in Seed Science and Technology for More Sustainable Crop Production

With the continued effects of climate change threatening the security of the global food system, there is a greater emphasis on ensuring successful crop establishment as a means of optimising agricultural production.

Advances in seed science and technology for more sustainable crop production considers how an improved understanding of seed quality, germination and seedling emergence can address this challenge. The book reviews the development of new techniques to ensure seed quality control, including seed phenotyping, as well as the role of genetic and environmental factors in determining seed longevity.

In its comprehensive exploration of seed science and technology, the book highlights how an informed understanding of seed biology can contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change on seed quality and consequently crop production.

• Considers best practices for ensuring seed quality and health, such as phenotyping and non-invasive techniques, including hyper=spectral imaging and x-rays
• Provides a comprehensive review of our understanding of seed biology and the impact of genetic and environmental factors in determining seed longevity, dormancy and rate of seedling emergence
• Assesses key challenges facing seed science, including the need to mitigate the effects of climate change on seed quality and production

"This seed science book edited by the two prominent scientists contains an excellent line up of proposed chapters by world experts. Bridging fundamental biology, such as modeling and longevity studies, and applied science, including seed enhancement and pathogen control, is a particular strength of this book. This book will be a great reference for both academic and industrial researchers, as well as many others involved in agriculture." Dr Hiro Nonogaki, Oregon State University, USA

With the continued effects of climate change threatening the security of the global food system, there is a greater emphasis on ensuring successful crop establishment as a means of optimising agricultural production.

Advances in seed science and technology for more sustainable crop production considers how an improved understanding of seed quality, germination and seedling emergence can address this challenge. The book reviews the development of new techniques to ensure seed quality control, including seed phenotyping, as well as the role of genetic and environmental factors in determining seed longevity.

In its comprehensive exploration of seed science and technology, the book highlights how an informed understanding of seed biology can contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change on seed quality and consequently crop production.

Edited by two world-renowned researchers in seed science, Advances in seed science and technology for more sustainable crop production will be a standard reference for researchers in crop, soil, seed and environmental science, growers, seed manufacturers and suppliers, as well as government and other private sector agencies supporting sustainable crop production.

Dr Julia Buitink is a Research Director at IRHS (the Research Institute of Horticulture and Seeds) within INRAE (the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment). Dr Buitink is President of the International Society for Seed Science (ISSS). She is internationally renowned for her research on regulatory networks involved in the acquisition of seed vigour during development.

Dr Olivier Leprince is Professor of Plant Physiology at L’Institut Agro Rennes Angers, France. Professor Leprince is a world-leading expert on the seed desiccation tolerance, longevity and vigour. He is ISSS Regional Representative for Western Europe and Scandinavia and Associate Editor of Seed Science Research.