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Agronomy
Special Issues
Modern Seed Technologies for Developing Dynamic Agriculture
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Modern Seed Technologies for Developing Dynamic Agriculture

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Farming Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2025 | Viewed by 12104

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Guangwu Zhao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Advanced Agricultural Science, Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University, Hangzhou, China
Interests: seed biology; seed germination and dormancy; seed vigor; seed production; seed quality testing
Prof. Dr. Zhujun Zhu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Horticulture Science, Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University, Hangzhou 311300, China
Interests: plant physiology; plant environmental stress; plant biotechnology; horticultural plants;vegetable production
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Seeds are the foundation of agricultural production. Under a rapidly changing climate, seeds and seedlings had a poor growth and low survival rate in the traditional agriculture, which limited the development of modernization agriculture. The application of modern seed technology has increased the survival rate of seeds and strength of seedlings, which is essential for an increase in and stabilization of crop yield. 

This Special Issue will mainly focus on the latest achievements of seed technology and seed science. The potential topics cover but are not limited to:

  • Technology applied to seed treatment, seed storage and conditioning, seed production, and seed testing;
  • Genetics or physiology of seed development, seed dormancy and germination, and seed vigor and longevity;
  • Identification of molecular markers and key gens linked to seed quality;
  • Original research, reviews, and opinions on recent advances in seed science and technology.

Prof. Dr. Guangwu Zhao
Prof. Dr. Zhujun Zhu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agronomy is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • seed technology
  • seed quality
  • seed physiology
  • seed molecular biology

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 937 KiB  
Article
Lentil Cultivar Evaluation in Diverse Organic Mediterranean Environments
by Dimitrios Baxevanos, Anastasia Kargiotidou, Christos Noulas, Antigoni-Maria Kouderi, Maria Aggelakoudi, Christos Petsoulas, Evangelia Tigka, Athanasios Mavromatis, Ioannis Tokatlidis, Dimitrios Beslemes and Dimitrios N. Vlachostergios
Agronomy 2024, 14(4), 790; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14040790 - 11 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1502
Abstract
Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) production faces challenges due to shifting environmental conditions, potentially leading to a transition towards cooler or highland Mediterranean environments. This study assessed the responses of five lentil genotypes across five diverse locations (L1–L5) managed under organic cropping systems [...] Read more.
Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) production faces challenges due to shifting environmental conditions, potentially leading to a transition towards cooler or highland Mediterranean environments. This study assessed the responses of five lentil genotypes across five diverse locations (L1–L5) managed under organic cropping systems over two seasons, focusing on key parameters including seed yield (SY), crude protein (CP), cooking time (CT), seed loss percentage (SL), and yield loss per hectare (YL) caused by bruchid (Bruchus sp.). Excessive seasonal rainfall (500 mm), low winter temperatures (−17.9 °C), bruchid SL, and spring sowing were identified as crucial, particularly in challenging environments like highlands. Genotype selection was highlighted as essential for balancing yield and stability, with the small-seeded cultivar ‘Dimitra’ demonstrating lower YL due to bruchid. Additionally, increased CP was noted in response to heightened bruchid infestations. Specific recommendations were proposed for different environments: In productive lowland areas with low bruchid pressure and high CTs (L1), prioritizing cultivars like ‘Samos’, ‘Dimitra’, and ‘Thessalia’ enhances quality. Locations with high bruchid populations (L4) were not favored organic production but can serve as genetic resistance screening sites. High-elevation environments (L3, L5) proved significantly less productive, underscoring the requirement for earlier and winter-hardy cultivars. These insights guide lentil cultivation, emphasizing the need for tailored breeding strategies adaptable to changing environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Seed Technologies for Developing Dynamic Agriculture)
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13 pages, 3033 KiB  
Article
Development of Superabsorbent Polymer (SAP) Seed Coating Technology to Enhance Germination and Stand Establishment in Red Clover Cover Crop
by Masoume Amirkhani, Hilary Mayton, Michael Loos and Alan Taylor
Agronomy 2023, 13(2), 438; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13020438 - 1 Feb 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3845
Abstract
Drought conditions after sowing threaten the seedling establishment of all seeds, including cover crops. Cover crops are commonly broadcast and, thus, are often susceptible to drought stress after sowing. Our hypothesis was that seed coating with superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) would enhance germination in [...] Read more.
Drought conditions after sowing threaten the seedling establishment of all seeds, including cover crops. Cover crops are commonly broadcast and, thus, are often susceptible to drought stress after sowing. Our hypothesis was that seed coating with superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) would enhance germination in the lab and stand establishment in the field by increasing water availability to single seeds. Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) seeds were coated with the following selected SAP formulations at 2% of their seed weight: cross-linked potassium polyacrylate (PAL), cross-linked polyacrylamide-based polymer (PAM), PAM with graphite (PAM+G), and Starch-g-2-Propenoic acid (potassium salt) (STR). The water absorbency of each SAP formulation was >200 g water/g of polymer; STR had the greatest absorbency, at 352 g water/g of polymer. A seed coating method was developed, resulting in the uniform application of SAP from seed to seed. All SAP coating treatments increased germination compared to the 0% SAP coating in controlled environment studies in the lab. Three field trials were conducted for each seed coating treatment, providing a range of climatic soil conditions. Within each field trial, the STR with the greatest water absorbency had a higher stand for treatments sown by broadcasting followed by raking to incorporate seeds. The first two trials were conducted under more stressful conditions. PAM+G performed best in the first two trials by broadcasting seeds with no raking. Collectively, the selected SAP seed coating improved field stands compared to the non-treated controls. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Seed Technologies for Developing Dynamic Agriculture)
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6 pages, 1296 KiB  
Communication
A New Approach for Improving the Nutritional Quality of Soybean (Glycine max L.) with Iron Slag Coating
by Song Yeob Kim, Ji Su Ha, Pil Joo Kim, Suvendu Das, Jessie Gutierreze-Suson and Gil Won Kim
Agronomy 2022, 12(12), 3126; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12123126 - 9 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1841
Abstract
Iron slag, a byproduct of the steel manufacturing process with a high amount of iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn), was used as a seed coating material to improve soybean nutrient quality and maintain yield during cultivation. Soybean yield (grain, [...] Read more.
Iron slag, a byproduct of the steel manufacturing process with a high amount of iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn), was used as a seed coating material to improve soybean nutrient quality and maintain yield during cultivation. Soybean yield (grain, aboveground, roots) did not differ significantly from the non-coated seeds, but nutrient concentration in soybeans, such as nitrogen, magnesium and manganese, were significantly increased in the iron-coated treatment, by 6%, 20% and 17%, respectively, than in the non-coated seeds. The application of iron slag as a protective seedcoat improved the nutrient concentrations of soybean seeds after harvest and maintained a good yield, implying that the material could be applied worldwide to improve the nutritional quality of soybeans in large scale production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Seed Technologies for Developing Dynamic Agriculture)
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14 pages, 2788 KiB  
Article
Identification of the Functional Modules of SlPP2C.D—SlSAUR and Their Roles in Abscisic Acid-Mediated Inhibition of Tomato Hypocotyl Elongation
by Xiaolin Zheng, Shihong Fei, Shajun Wang, Yong He, Zhujun Zhu and Yuanyuan Liu
Agronomy 2022, 12(10), 2542; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12102542 - 18 Oct 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1915
Abstract
The plant hormone ABA regulates various physiological processes, such as promoting stomatal closure and inhibiting hypocotyl elongation by mediating de-phosphorylation of H+-ATPase. However, the mechanism acting on ABA-induced de-phosphorylation of H+-ATPase remains largely unknown. SMALL AUXIN UP RNAs ( [...] Read more.
The plant hormone ABA regulates various physiological processes, such as promoting stomatal closure and inhibiting hypocotyl elongation by mediating de-phosphorylation of H+-ATPase. However, the mechanism acting on ABA-induced de-phosphorylation of H+-ATPase remains largely unknown. SMALL AUXIN UP RNAs (SAURs), the largest family of early auxin-response genes, were well-reported to bind to and inhibit PP2C.D phosphatases to maintain plasma membrane H+-ATPase activity. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether SAUR-PP2C.D functional modules were involved in ABA-mediated inhibition of hypocotyl elongation. Here, we show that ABA suppresses hypocotyl elongation in both light-grown and dark-grown tomato seedlings in a dose-dependent manner. Hypocotyl elongation of dark-grown seedlings was more sensitive to ABA compared to that of light-grown seedlings. ABA upregulates seven SlPP2C.D genes. SlPP2C.D1 was highly expressed in hypocotyl and upregulated by light. Y2H data showed SlPP2C.D1 interacted with SlSAUR2, 35, 40, 55, 57, 59, 65, and 70. The other four SlPP2C.Ds were also associated with a subset of SAUR proteins. Our findings have provided new insights for further examination on the SAUR-PP2C.D modules that regulate outputs of ABA and other phytohormones controlling plant growth and development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Seed Technologies for Developing Dynamic Agriculture)
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Review

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16 pages, 4313 KiB  
Review
Optimization of Harvesting and Drying Techniques for Quality Seed Production in Specialty Crops: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Laura Monteiro Pedrosa, Bruno Rafael de Almeida Moreira and Cibele Chalita Martins
Agronomy 2024, 14(8), 1705; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14081705 - 2 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1790
Abstract
Specialty crops enhance food security, biodiversity, and economic resilience, relying on high-quality seeds. However, there is a gap in understanding how to enhance seed quality under specific conditions. This study addresses this gap by proposing that optimizing harvesting and drying can improve specialty [...] Read more.
Specialty crops enhance food security, biodiversity, and economic resilience, relying on high-quality seeds. However, there is a gap in understanding how to enhance seed quality under specific conditions. This study addresses this gap by proposing that optimizing harvesting and drying can improve specialty crop seed quality. A literature review spanning 2000–2023 was conducted, followed by a meta-analysis to measure effect sizes. From an initial pool of 1589 documents, 45 met the criteria for further analysis. The results indicated that harvesting seeds at intermediate times significantly increased the logarithmic response ratio (LRR), with LRRs of 1.7 for germination and 2 for seedling count compared with early harvesting. Regarding drying methods, no significant differences were found between artificial and natural methods. However, optimal drying temperatures (30–60 °C) were identified, ensuring adequate moisture levels (10–20%) for a germination percentage of 50–100%. The variability in these findings was attributed to the twelve diverse species analyzed. Although the results supported the study’s hypothesis, limited and inconsistent data prevented the determination of optimal conditions for each species, indicating a need for further research. Despite these limitations, the study provides insights into optimizing harvesting and drying to enhance seed quality in specialty crops, contributing to emerging science in this domain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Seed Technologies for Developing Dynamic Agriculture)
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Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

Title: Seed pelletization: a booster of precise sowing for small seeds
Authors: Zhen hua Li
Affiliation: Guizhou University

Title: Characterization of the functional module of SlSAUR-SlPP2C.D in regulating hypocotyls elongation of tomato seedlings
Authors: Zhujun Zhu
Affiliation: Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University

Title: An R2R3-type transcription factor OsMYBAS1 regulates seed vigor in transgenic rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Guangwu Zhao
Affiliation: Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University

Title: Research on processing technology and parameter selection of Platycodon grandiflorum seed assisted by machine vision technology
Authors: Qun Sun
Affiliation: China Agricultural University

Title: Foliar application of 6-benzyladenine after pollination improves hybrid rice seed vigor through modulating antioxidant system
Authors: Xiaomin Wang
Affiliation: Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University

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