Nanopriming and Nanocoating as a Next-Generation Seed Treatment for Enhanced Plant Growth and Pathogen Resistance

In pursuit of sustainable agriculture, current strategies continue to explore environmentally friendly inputs that promote plant development. Seed treatment is an ancient practice used to break seed dormancy and hasten germination. Although traditional seed treatments yield positive outcomes, the methods adopted raise concerns about the negative environmental impacts, such as groundwater contamination from chemical residues. Nanopriming and coating may be more environmentally friendly alternatives for mitigating these problems. Due to their small size and high surface area, and depending on factors such as nanoparticle (NP) type, environmental conditions, and plant species, NPs can efficiently penetrate seeds, promoting nutrient and water uptake and thereby enhancing germination. This review highlights the critical challenge posed by seed dormancy in seed germination and the competitive edge of nanopriming and nanocoating over traditional seed treatment technologies. The impact of nano-seed treatment on seed sprouting and crop development, as well as the role of nanopores and aquaporins in enhancing seed germination, is discussed. This review also addresses the knowledge gap regarding the mechanism by which NPs enhance seed germination, limited field trial evidence, variability in plant response to NPs and their dual role in simultaneously addressing seed dormancy and conferring protection against seed-borne pathogens when applied as nanocoats.