Advances in Seed Priming

Most crop plants grow in environments that are suboptimal, which prevents the plants from attaining their full genetic potential for growth and reproduction. Stress due to abiotic and biotic agents has a significant effect on world food production. Annually, an estimated 15% of global yields are lost, but this figure belies far greater losses for specific food systems and the people whose existence is dependent upon them, particularly in developing countries. Current efforts to mitigate these losses are worryingly over-reliant on the use of sophisticated and costly chemicals /measures with substantial economic and environmental costs, or on the development of efficient and smart crop varieties, which can take decades. What we need is a broad range of safe, robust and equitable solutions for food producers. One under-investigated approach is that of utilizing the crop plant’s innate immune system to resist stress. More specifically, the innate immune system can be sensitized or ‘primed’ to respond more quickly and strongly to protect the plant against stresses. However, a strategy of employing priming in combination with reduced pesticide use can enhance protection, and help to meet commitments to reducing chemical inputs in agriculture.

This book discusses in detail different segments of priming in addressing stress factors and traits to increase competitiveness against all odds. Adopting a holistic and systematic approach, it addresses priming to counter climate-change related adverse effects coupled with pest and pathogen related stress on the productivity of crops utilizing natural resources to reap sustainable environmental, economic and social benefits for potential productivity of crops, maintaining synergy between soil, water and plants in ways that mimic nature.

AmitavaRakshit , an IIT, Kharagpur alumnus is presently the faculty member in the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry at Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University(IAS, BHU). Dr.Rakshit had worked in the Department of Agriculture, Government of West Bengal in administration and extension roles. He visited Scandinavia, Europe Africa and UAE pertaining to his research work and presentation. He was awarded with TWAS Nxt Fellow (Italy) ,BiovisionNxt Fellow (France), Darwin Now Bursary(British Council),Young achiever award and Best Teacher’s Award at UG and PG level . He is serving as review college member of British Ecological Society, London since 2011. He is the fellow of Society of Earth Scientists.He has published 100 research papers, 25 book chapters, 28 popular articles, one manual and co authored twelve books.

Harikesh B. Singh is presently a Professor of Mycology and Plant Pathology at IAS,BHU. He served state agricultureuniversity, central university and CSIR institute in teaching, research, and extension roles. In recognition of Prof.Singh’s scientific contributions and leadership in the field of plant pathology, he was honored with several prestigious awards, notable being, CSIR Prize for Biological Sciences ,Vigyan Bharti Award ,Prof. V.P. Bhide Memorial Award , BRSI Industrial Medal Award ,Bioved Fellowship Award , Prof.PanchananMaheshwari ,IPS Plant Pathology Leader Award , CSIR–CAIRD Team award, Environment Conservation Award, CST VigyanRatna Award and many more. Prof. Singh has been the Fellow of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences .Prof. Singh has written two books, several training modules and manuals and more than 160 research publications and has more than 18 US patents and 3 PCTs to his credit.