The invention relates to a method of introducing characteristics into seeds during seed conditioning comprising the steps of admixing with continuous aeration of seeds, a particulate solid matrix material and a seed priming amount of water, for a time and at a temperature sufficient to imbibe sufficient water to enhance resultant plant vigor but insufficient to cause seed sprouting by bringing a substantial number of cells of the seeds to a desired stage of a cell cycle and adding genes to transform the seeds. <IMAGE>
