Advances in seed science and technology are key to tackling the global challenges in food security and supply chain resilience by developing a climate-smart agriculture. To develop new crops able to adapt to climate change here on earth, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have launched seeds into space in 2022 to better understand space-induced mutations of plant seeds. Understanding seeds from their biology to the field and technological advances in enhancing seed quality are the focus of this new book launched by Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing in 2022. The editors of this excellent book, Dr Julia Buitink and Dr Olivier Leprince, are two world-renowned seed scientists. They brought together a fantastic team of experts for the ten book chapters with topics covering the broad and diverse field of seed science, providing the latest technological advances, and bridging fundamental and applied research relevant for supporting a more sustainable crop production. This book will emerge as a great reference for both academic and industrial researchers, advanced students and many others involved in crop production.
Part 1 of the book ‘Understanding seeds: from biology to the field’ begins with an overview (Chapter 1) by Henk W. M. Hilhorst who provides a critical update on seed dormancy and germination spanning from the classical dormancy classes defined by ecologists to the underpinning of molecular mechanisms. Compartmentation and transcriptome networks are a major focus. Chapter 2 by Roberto L. Benech-Arnold expands this topic by examining the effects of the maternal environment in controlling seed dormancy, including the ecological and agricultural implications. In both chapters, the text is supported by excellent colour figures suited for use in lectures at university and in workshops at seed companies. I was especially intrigued by Figure 1 in Chapter 2 summarizing the current knowledge on how maternal environmental cues operate to implement the observed seed dormancy changes.
Chapter 3 by Kent J Bradford and Pedro Bello is a comprehensive paper on population-based threshold models to quantify and improve seed quality. The authors describe the basic concepts and advanced features of the modelling for several environmental cues and seed traits, as well as its application in ecology and industry. Multiple excellent figures also suited for teaching and an abbreviation list support this chapter. Chapter 4 by James W. Dalling and Adam S. Davis examines biotic sources of seed losses in the field for crop plants and agricultural weeds. This chapter highlights the strong potential for novel management practices to reduce crop yield losses by targeting weed seed survival in the soil. Chapter 5 by Julia Buitink and Olivier Leprince focuses on advances in understanding the genetic and environmental factors determining seed longevity. A section on the environmental effects of longevity has plasticity and adaptation as focus. The authors also review seed accelerated ageing assays and the limits of their application.
Part 2 chapters review advances in seed quality control and treatment. Chapter 6 by Sherif Hamdy, Aurélier Charrier and Laurence Le Corre examines advances in seed phenotyping using X-ray imaging. Chapter 7 by Peter Bonats deals with testing seed health with classical and novel technologies. Chapter 8 by Fiona R. Hay focuses on advances in the preservation of seed vigour during storage. Chapter 9 by John Hampton explores advances in enhancing seed defence mechanisms against pathogens including defence priming with beneficial microbes. Chapter 10 by Henry Bruggink focuses on advances in priming techniques to enhance seed vigour from the point of seed industry, including innovative technologies based on patents and applications. These very timely chapters into how seed health and vigour can be controlled and tested are supported by excellent figures which are suited for lectures and workshops.
In summary, this is a highly attractive and comprehensive book into advances in seed science and technology for more sustainable crop production, written by world experts. It is a valuable source of information for advanced-level university students, academic and industrial researchers, and other professionals across a wide range of plant science disciplines and beyond in seed sector agencies. The attractive format of the chapters with many excellent colour figures and extensive lists of relevant literature are beneficial for university-level teaching and industrial workshops. This illuminating book addresses the key challenges facing seed science and deserves high recommendation.
