Advances and Deficits of Conventional and Novel Seed Enhancement Technologies

Global population growth, climatic extremes, and rising resource pressures necessitate innovative agricultural methods to boost food, feed, fibre and fuel production sustainably. Seed enhancement technologies (SETs), such as seed coating and priming, have emerged as effective strategies to improve seed viability and vigour, seedling establishment and overall crop yield. Conventional seed treatments, including film coating, encrusting, pelleting, and various seed priming techniques, offer advantages such as improved seed handling, uniform germination, and promotion of early growth. However, they also have significant drawbacks, such as the harmful effects of re-drying seeds after treatment, uneven distribution of active ingredients, environmental pollution, reduced seed longevity and decreased soil microbial health. To tackle these issues, new non-traditional SETs are being investigated, including nanotechnology and novel biodegradable coatings, which help to lessen the negative effects of traditional SETs. These innovative methods demonstrate great promise in enhancing seed performance, minimising environmental impact, and ensuring cost-effective scalability across diverse agricultural settings. This review critically examines both conventional and novel SETs, discusses their pros and cons, and outlines strategic research and industry directions to enhance agricultural sustainability and productivity in light of global food and resource security challenges.