Presowing

Presowing refers to a set of seed preparation practices carried out before sowing with the goal of enhancing germination, uniform emergence, and subsequent plant performance. It encompasses physical, chemical, and biological treatments applied to seeds or other planting material prior to planting. Presowing can address dormancy, seed quality, disease pressure, and handling efficiency, and is used in agriculture, horticulture, and forestry.

Common presowing treatments include seed priming, scarification, stratification, soaking or imbibition, disinfection, pelleting or coating, and drying or conditioning. Seed priming hydrates seeds to initiate metabolic processes without allowing radical emergence, often improving germination speed and uniformity. Scarification physically or chemically breaks hard seed coats to improve water uptake. Stratification exposes seeds to specific temperature regimes to break dormancy. Soaking can activate enzymes and reduce dormancy, while disinfection lowers seedborne pathogens. Pelleting or coating improves handling and may include nutrient or protective additives. Biological treatments involve inoculation with beneficial microbes to promote early root establishment.

The choice of presowing method depends on seed species, dormancy mechanisms, and intended sowing conditions. While presowing can raise germination rates and vigor, improper handling may cause seed damage or reduced viability. It is important to follow species-specific guidelines and avoid techniques that could harm seeds or violate safety and regulatory requirements.

Presowing is commonly used to improve field establishment, germination uniformity, disease resistance, and early crop yield. It is typically applied by seed producers or growers who need consistent performance across seed lots, especially for crops with complex dormancy or challenging germination conditions.