Biotechnological Approaches in Seed Quality Enhancement: Current Status and Future Prospects

Abstract

Seed quality is a critical factor influencing agricultural productivity and food security globally. This review paper presents a comprehensive exploration of traditional and biotechnological approaches for seed quality enhancement, with an emphasis on current status and future prospects. Traditionally, seed quality improvement has relied on selective breeding and seed treatment techniques. However, these methods have limitations in terms of time, resources, and precision. In response to these challenges, the field of seed science has been revolutionized by the advent of biotechnology, offering unprecedented opportunities for seed quality enhancement. This review presents a detailed discussion on the principles and applications of genetic engineering, marker-assisted selection, and the integration of genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics-collectively termed as 'omics' technologiesin seed quality enhancement. The synergistic application of 'omics' technologies offers a holistic view of seed biology, enabling a more comprehensive understanding of seed quality traits and their underlying mechanisms. Case studies illustrate the potential of these technologies in dissecting complex traits, enhancing stress resilience, and improving seed longevity, among other applications. The review also delves into the future prospects of seed quality enhancement, shedding light on emerging technologies such as genome editing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, nanotechnology, synthetic biology, and advanced imaging technologies. These technologies, while still in their early stages, hold immense promise for transforming seed science and agriculture. However, the review highlights that these emerging technologies also pose significant challenges, including ethical, regulatory, and access issues, which warrant careful consideration. Suggestions for future research include further exploration of the integrated 'omics' approach, investigation of the role of epigenetics and the seed microbiome in seed quality, and development of high-throughput, non-destructive seed phenotyping technologies.