Navigating germination challenges in Asia in a changing climate
Germination plays a vital role in agriculture - it is the cornerstone of successful cultivation and contributes to food security and a better future for Asian agriculture. Tomoko Sakata , R&T Manager Incotec (APAC), explores the impact of climate change on tropical crops, highlighting temperature sensitivities and how seed priming enhances food security and farmer prosperity.
Temperature sensitivity: a balancing act for optimal germination
The temperature ranges needed for optimal germination in various crops are diverse. These temperature sensitivities affect germination success and farming strategies. Some crops will need high temperatures and others perform better in low temperatures. What happens when the ideal temperature for germination is no longer achievable? Contrary to popular belief, the main challenge in Asia are unexpectedly low temperatures, not high temperatures. Tropical crops like cucurbits (e.g., bitter gourd, watermelon) germinate well in high temperatures but struggle in temperatures below 15°C, which is a real possibility nowadays in Asia-Pacific. Crops that can germinate at 5°C are rare and those that can, take a long time. On the other hand, very few crops can germinate above 40°C and many will already experience temperature stress and delayed germination, even before the temperature reaches the 35°C mark, a common occurrence during the hot summer months even in Japan. And as we can see in the table, very few crops will germinate when the temperature drops below 15°C, conditions that are not unlikely during the dry season in India.
Tropical Crops: Walking a tightrope
These temperature sensitivities highlight the precarious situation for tropical crops. It’s not just the need for a very specific germination temperature range that is cause for concern for Asian farmers; it’s also because that range is often very narrow. Managing this means additional effort from farmers as well as a lot of uncertainty about the success of their crop. They must carefully monitor weather forecasts and adjust their planting schedules accordingly, which can be labor-intensive and financially burdensome. Furthermore, even slight deviations in temperature can disrupt the germination process, potentially leading to crop failure. This unpredictability affects yield and also impacts the planning of subsequent planting cycles, creating a ripple effect that can jeopardize the entire agricultural season. As a result, farmers are forced to adopt more meticulous farming techniques and invest in additional resources, such as protective coverings or climate control systems, to mitigate these risks. And that with no guarantee of success and often significant financial outlay, putting additional stress on small-scale farmers who already operate with thin margins.
The importance of germination
Germination plays a vital role in agriculture - it is the cornerstone of successful cultivation and contributes to food security and a better future for Asian agriculture. Faster germination leads to quicker harvests, and achieving germination under suboptimal conditions can enable off-season harvests. Both can lead to improved income for farmers. But it is not just about profit. It’s about securing food production in a changing and often unpredictable climate. Improving germination under diverse climatic conditions increases the resilience of crops to climate-induced stresses, making farming more sustainable in regions facing erratic weather patterns. Better germination techniques, such as priming or using climate-resilient seed varieties, are therefore vital. They support not just the immediate cultivation success but also the long-term sustainability of the food supply chain, allowing farmers to adapt and thrive despite environmental challenges. Focusing on enhancing germination capacity is fundamental to achieving reliable food security outcomes, paving the way for a more prosperous agricultural future.
Primed seeds can weather the challenges of a changing climate and support agricultural resilience.
Priming: The insurance policy for seeds
In the face of these challenges, could priming be the game changer needed to combat the impact of climate change? Priming acts as an insurance policy, enhancing germination stability under less-than-ideal conditions. Take bitter gourd as an example. Primed seeds can germinate faster and more reliably at low temperatures than their unprimed counterparts. In alternating temperature conditions of 20°C/30°C, primed seeds reach maximum germination around 5 days after sowing, 1-2 days earlier than raw seeds. This seemingly small improvement can make a significant difference. And if the temperature is lower, such as 15°C/25°C, the benefits of priming become even more pronounced. While unprimed seeds may reach maximum germination around 8-10 days after sowing, and in the worst case, germination may even decline. This process in primed seeds can, however, be accelerated by more than 3 days with good germination uniformity while maintaining a higher germination rate. Moreover, priming techniques can be tailored to specific crops and regional climates, allowing for customized approaches that enhance local agricultural resilience. This advantage is not limited to bitter gourd; other cucurbits like watermelon and ridge gourd also benefit from priming, ensuring good germination even in suboptimal conditions.
Agricultural resilience in a changing climate
As we navigate the complexities of climate change, innovative solutions like seed priming are essential for mitigating risks and ensuring agricultural resilience. By embracing these strategies, we can secure food production and support Asian farmers. Primed seeds can weather the challenges of a changing climate and support agricultural resilience. The adaptability provided by seed priming means that even as climates become increasingly erratic, farmers can maintain consistent yields and minimize the risk of complete harvest loss, providing a buffer against possible climate-induced disruptions. In this way, priming does not merely improve germination timelines but strengthens the broader agricultural infrastructure, securing a more reliable food supply chain for future generations.
Seed priming
