Review—Seed Treatment: Importance, Application, Impact, and Opportunities for Increasing Sustainability
Simona Paulikienė, Domas Benesevičius, Kristina Benesevičienė, Tomas Ūksas
Abstract
Climate change, soil degradation, and the spread of seed-borne pathogens pose serious challenges to global food security and agricultural sustainability. Although chemical seed treatment provides pathogen control, it poses environmental and health risks. This review analyses innovative seed treatment technologies, with particular emphasis on ozonation as an ecologically viable alternative. The mechanisms of action of ozone, its effects on seed germination, reduction of microbial contamination, and crop establishment are discussed. Chemical, physical, and biological treatment methods are comparatively evaluated, analyzing their effectiveness, environmental impact, and application limitations.