## 2 Advances and Achievements in Seed Biotechnologies in the Decade 2014-2024
For research and development in seed science, biotechnological interventions are key tools for seed trait improvement, defining favorable implications for consumers, farmers, and agriculture. In the field, seed biotechnologies improve seed vigor, physiological aspects, and the establishment of crops under different environmental conditions. Multiple methods are employed to enhance the quality of seed and attributes, including mechanical methods (polishing off fruit coat or seed coat and size sorting), seed pelleting and coating, seed priming (hydropriming, biopriming, etc.) [38], artificial seed production, and seed-mediated molecular farming [39]. Subsequently, studies on the metabolic and genetic pathways affecting seed biology provide increased information and assist in crop improvement. The key aspects of seed vigor facilitate early crop establishment in the field, while seed size leads to enhanced agricultural output [18]. Advanced biotechnologies focus on enhancing seed's nutritional profiles and shelf life and are of special significance in seed science and research. Furthermore, national and international policies and guidelines have established stringent laws and policies to ensure seed quality and global marketing [40]. As a prerequisite to food security, establishing seed security is largely dependent on the advances in crop improvement. While the development of improved varieties via plant breeding that sustains climate fluctuations is significant, a consistent seed supply is necessary for higher agricultural production. In addition, significant advances were made to increase the seed quality traits due to extensive research on seed physiology, quality improvement, postharvest technology, and seed pathology, among others [41,42]. In the present decade, biotechnological innovations have significantly contributed to seed science research, particularly to develop high-value seeds and focusing on seed quality [43]. The availability of good quality seeds of key crops including rice, sorghum, wheat, maize, pearl millet, etc., at an affordable cost is desirable to enhance agricultural productivity. Key thematic areas for seed biotechnological research comprise seed invigoration initiatives to improve productivity, focus on the procedures for testing seed genetic purity, the effects of environmental factors on seed longevity, and the genetic mechanism of seed longevity [43]. _Seed invigoration initiatives to improve productivity_: This area focuses on improving productivity via seed invigoration through multiple chemical, physical, and mechanical procedures and the identification of molecules that function in seed invigoration. Seed viability is a critical factor for successful germplasm preservation, while micronutrient supplementation in seeds improves seed vigor, seed viability, disease tolerance, plant survival, and productivity [44,45]. The seed coat controls seed development and shields seedlings and embryos from stress conditions. Gene cloning is a prospective approach to alter any of the processes to manipulate seed composition and produce new products. Moreover, the modification of the metabolic pathways in developing seeds can facilitate a desired protein expression [46]. _Procedures for testing seed genetic purity_: For higher agricultural productivity, it is necessary to raise plants from good-quality seeds and recognized seed categories including breeder, foundation, nucleus, and certified and truthfully labeled seeds (TFL). A proper and systematic inspection of seeds is performed at every stage by the seed certification inspector. Moreover, during seed crop production, crop isolation is carried out to restrict disease incidences and natural crossing contaminants. In addition, plants having recessive genes