Seed biopriming as a promising approach for stress tolerance and enhancement of crop productivity: a review.

Chemicals are used extensively in agriculture to increase crop production to meet the nutritional needs of an expanding world population. However, their injudicious application adversely affects the soil's physical, chemical and biological properties, subsequently posing a substantial threat to human health and global food security. Beneficial microorganisms improve plant health and productivity with minimal impact on the environment; however, their efficacy greatly relies on the application technique. Biopriming is an advantageous technique that involves the treatment of seeds with beneficial biological agents. It exhibits immense potential in improving the physiological functioning of seeds, thereby playing a pivotal role in their uniform germination and vigor. Biopriming-mediated molecular and metabolic reprogramming imparts stress tolerance to plants, improves plant health, and enhances crop productivity. Furthermore, it is also associated with rehabilitating degraded land, and improving soil fertility, health and nutrient cycling. Although biopriming has vast applications in the agricultural system, its commercialization and utilization by farmers is still in its infancy. This review aims to critically analyze the recent studies based on biopriming-mediated stress mitigation by alteration in physiological, metabolic and molecular processes in plants. Additionally, considering the necessity of popularizing this technique, the major challenges and prospects linked to the commercialization and utilization of this technique in agricultural systems have also been discussed. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.