International Journal of Horticulture, 2025, Vol.15, No.5, 242-256 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 251 temporal aspects, such as stress duration and intensity, and their interaction with developmental stages of the plant. These comprehensive studies will be crucial for unraveling synergistic or antagonistic effects of priming treatments and tailoring protocols for real-world applications. 6.2 Role of priming combined with the microbiome, bio inputs and gene editing The integration of seed priming with biological inputs such as beneficial microbes (e.g., plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, endophytes and mycorrhizae) holds promise to boost plant resilience. Biopriming, which involves coating seeds with microbial consortia, has been shown to enhance nutrient uptake, hormone production, and systemic resistance under stress (Singh et al., 2023). Future research should aim to identify specific microbial strains that synergize with chemical or hormonal priming agents for enhanced multi-stress tolerance. 6.3 Importance of selecting cultivars with a good response to priming One of the most critical factors influencing the success of priming strategies is genotypic variability. Not all cultivars respond equally to the same priming treatment; some may show enhanced germination and stress tolerance, while others may not benefit or could even experience negative effects (Ashraf and Foolad, 2005). Therefore, screening and selecting cultivars that exhibit high responsiveness to priming, especially under multi-stress conditions, should become a standard part of breeding and production programs. To enhance the reliability of priming strategies in horticulture, future research should aim to develop cultivars with consistent responses to priming. This requires integrating priming compatibility into breeding programs, both conventional and molecular, so that treatments align with crop genetics, improving stress resilience and field performance. 6.4 Economic, policy and social dimensions of adoption Beyond biological optimization, the broader adoption of seed priming will depend on its economic feasibility, regulatory clarity, and social acceptance among growers. Cost-benefit analyses are essential to determine the profitability of priming protocols, particularly for smallholder and resource-limited farmers. For example, studies in carrot and lentil (Lens culinaris L.) have demonstrated that seed priming can yield favorable benefit-cost ratios and increase income under stress conditions (Sharma et al., 2020; Ceritoglu et al., 2024). On-farm trials and meta-analyses also indicate that low-cost priming enhances emergence, yield and farmer returns under challenging environments (Sissoko et al., 2022). However, concerns related to initial input costs, lack of infrastructure and access to reliable priming agents may limit adoption in certain contexts (Carrillo-Reche et al., 2018). In addition, the use of nanomaterials or microbial consortia in seed treatment may face trade barriers and regulatory constraints, especially in international markets (Ram et al., 2022; Shelar et al., 2023). Harmonization of standards, labeling requirements, and safety evaluations will be essential to facilitate trade and scale-up. Social dimensions, including farmers' risk perception, trust in new technologies, and willingness to adopt alternative practices, are equally critical. Participatory trials, extension outreach, and localized demonstrations can help foster awareness, build confidence and tailor priming protocols to farmer needs and agroecological conditions. Ultimately, adoption will depend not only on the biological effectiveness of priming, but on its economic rationality and alignment with farmer knowledge systems. 7 Conclusions Seed priming has emerged as a promising and practical strategy to enhance tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses in horticultural crops. By modulating physiological, biochemical, and molecular processes during the early stages of development, priming treatments can improve germination, seedling vigor, and adaptive responses to drought, salinity, heat, and cold. The review highlights the effectiveness of diverse priming agents, ranging from osmotic and hormonal solutions to micronutrients and bio stimulants, demonstrated through numerous case studies in economically important vegetables.
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