This book presents information about seeds and their surrounding environment. It brings together fundamental concepts and applied perspectives to explain seed development, regulation, quality, and performance under diverse environmental conditions. The book emphasizes coordinated biological processes rather than isolated mechanisms and serves as a single resource that connects seed physiology, molecular regulation, and agricultural relevance.

The chapters progress from core aspects of seed development, metabolism, and maternal–paternal control to molecular signaling, hormonal regulation, and comparative seed biology of monocots and dicots. The book covers environmental regulation of seed growth, embryo–endosperm communication, and the role of microbes in the spermosphere. It also examines seed maturation, dormancy, nutrient loading, and metabolic pathways that determine seed quality. Advanced sections address genotype–environment interactions, epigenetic regulation, omics‑based insights, and integrated regulatory networks. Emerging areas such as seed priming technologies, artificial intelligence, and machine learning applications in seed science are included, along with post‑harvest seed biology and future directions of the field.

This book serves as a useful reading resource for plant scientists, seed biologists, agronomists, and researchers working in crop improvement and stress biology. It also supports postgraduate students, doctoral scholars, and candidates preparing for competitive agricultural examinations who require a structured and comprehensive understanding of modern seed science.

Dr. Pooja Dhansu is a Senior Scientist at ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Regional Centre, Karnal, Haryana. With over 16 years of research in sugarcane, her core expertise lies in abiotic stress physiology, particularly salinity and drought tolerance, and root system architecture. Trained in Plant Physiology, her work focuses on deciphering the physiological, biochemical and root traits that confer resilience in sugarcane. Her significant contributions include association with the development of three drought and salinity tolerant sugarcane varieties and registration of one drought tolerant genetic stock with ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi. She has led several externally and institutionally funded projects and has developed a technology for sugarcane juice preservation. She has a strong publication record comprising research papers, book chapters and technical manuals, along with extensive experience in guiding postgraduate and doctoral research.

Dr Ashwani Kumar is a Senior Scientist at ICAR–Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India. His professional experience includes crop improvement research for salt‑affected environments and participation in large inter‑institutional research programs. He holds doctoral training in plant physiology and has academic experience in teaching and research supervision. His research interests focus on physiological, biochemical, and molecular responses of crops under abiotic stress conditions. His accomplishments include leadership in high‑value research projects, national and international collaborations, and recognition through fellowships and awards. He has an extensive publication record including research articles, books, chapters, and technical literature, reflecting sustained contributions to plant stress biology and seed science.

Dr Parvender Sheoran is Director of ICAR–Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Zone‑I, Ludhiana, Punjab, India. He has over two decades of professional experience within the national agricultural research and extension system. His academic background includes doctoral training in agronomy, supported by strong academic distinctions. His areas of interest include agronomy, seed and crop management, salinity management, and technology dissemination. His accomplishments include national awards, fellowships, development of improved crop varieties, and farmer‑oriented technologies. He has a substantial publication record spanning research papers, book chapters, technical bulletins, training materials, and extension literature, highlighting his integrated contributions to research and outreach.