Seed priming is an innovative process that enhances seed vigour and speeds up germination and uniformity. By exposing seeds to controlled hydration and drying cycles, priming activates metabolic processes without initiating full germination. This technique ensures that seeds are prepared for rapid sprouting, even under challenging environmental conditions.

Priming is particularly beneficial for crops grown in unpredictable climates, as it enhances seed resilience to temperature fluctuations and moisture stress. By reducing the time between sowing and emergence, priming improves crop establishment, resulting in higher field uniformity and overall yield. This is especially important for high-value crops like vegetables and flowers.

We have developed different priming systems, such as drum priming and osmotic priming, also known as PEG priming. Recently we introduced a new priming system where we integrated hydration and drying (dehydration) into one machine/process.

Advanced priming systems use precise hydration protocols to tailor the process to different seed varieties, and ensure optimal shelf life. These systems monitor key parameters such as water intake and temperature, light and time to ensure optimal conditions for seed pre-germination. Additives like hormones can be added to the priming solution to further boost seed performance.

In addition to improving germination rates, priming enhances root and shoot development, setting the stage for robust plant growth. For farmers and seed producers, primed seeds are a reliable and cost-effective solution to maximize agricultural productivity. Thanks to its proven benefits, priming is a modern seed technology for high-value crops, like tomato, bell pepper, lettuce and onion.