Seeds

Seed health testing is a cornerstone of global food security, yet traditional diagnostic workflows often struggle to balance speed, sensitivity, and regulatory confidence under low-prevalence and heterogeneous seed lot conditions. This review synthesizes recent advances in molecular diagnostics (PCR, qPCR, LAMP, and digital PCR), non-destructive imaging technologies (hyperspectral, X-ray, and thermal imaging), and data-driven analytical approaches for pathogen detection in seeds. Emphasis is placed on the practical integration of these tools within high-throughput, ISO/IEC 17025-compliant laboratory workflows, highlighting their respective strengths, limitations, and roles in risk-based decision-making. Comparative discussions address cost, sensitivity, turnaround time, and field deployability across diagnostic platforms, supported by crop- and pathogen-specific examples. Emerging approaches such as CRISPR-based biosensing, advanced sequencing, and imaging-assisted analytics are discussed in the context of validation, regulatory acceptance, and operational feasibility. By focusing on implementation rather than conceptual frameworks, this review provides a pragmatic reference for laboratories, regulators, and seed companies seeking to modernize seed health testing while safeguarding trade integrity and biosecurity.

Soil salinization is one of the main factors limiting agricultural productivity, negatively affecting seed germination and initial growth of maize (Zea mays L.). As a sustainable alternative, seaweed-based biostimulants, especially extracts of Ascophyllum nodosum, have stood out in mitigating abiotic stresses. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of A. nodosum extract in inducing tolerance to saline stress in maize seeds of the AL Bandeirante cultivar. To this end, three independent bioassays were conducted under controlled conditions: (i) evaluation of five doses of the extract (0; 0.5; 1.0; 1.5 and 2.0 mL L⁻¹); (ii) effects of five osmotic potentials induced by NaCl (0, −0.2, −0.4, −0.6 and −0.8 MPa); and (iii) the interaction between the most efficient doses and salinity levels, comparing the extract to its mineral fraction. Seed germination, percentage of normal and abnormal seedlings, radicle and epicotyl length, and vigor index were measured. The results demonstrated that doses of 1.0 to 2.0 mL L⁻¹ promoted greater bioactivity, with a 7.3% increase in root length compared to the control. Although increased salinity progressively reduced all variables, with severe effects at −0.6 and −0.8 MPa, the treatment with the extract showed superior performance to the mineral fraction, demonstrating a mitigating effect. It is concluded that A. nodosum extract is an effective strategy to attenuate the damage caused by salinity on seed germination and initial seedling growth in maize, especially under moderate stress.

Solanum torvum is an important medicinal and culinary vegetable with poor seed propagation, characterized by low germination and limited seed longevity. This study examined the effects of fruit maturity stage, storage temperature, duration, and endogenous hormonal profiles on seed germination. Fruits were harvested at three physiological maturity stages: matured green, ripe yellow, and overripe brown. Extracted seeds were stored in ambient (24–26 °C) and cold (3–8 °C) conditions for 24 weeks, with subsequent germination testing with 3 replicates per treatment. Endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellic acid (GA) were quantified using HPLC-DAD to assess their association with germination behaviour. Seeds from ripe yellow fruits achieved the highest germination (95%), with a mean germination time of 12 days and a mean germination rate of 8%, identifying this stage as the optimal maturity stage for harvest. While total germination percentage was enhanced by an after-ripening effect during the first 16 weeks of ambient storage, other vigour parameters, including mean germination time and rate and synchronization began to decline thereafter. ABA and GA concentrations displayed treatment-dependent variation across maturity stages and storage conditions, with hormonal trends showing complex associations with dormancy release rather than consistent main effects. These findings indicate that harvesting Solanum torvum fruits at the ripe yellow stage and storing seeds under ambient conditions for up to 16 weeks, under the conditions evaluated in this study, provides a practical balance between dormancy alleviation and seed vigour, thereby improving short-term propagation efficiency.