The present disclosure relates to a seed of a plant, a seedling or a plant derived from the seed containing an increased internal concentration of glycine-betaine compared to untreated controls. The present disclosure further relates to a method to produce a seed of a plant, a seedling or a plant derived from said seed containing an increased internal concentration of glycine-betaine which will confer to the seed, seedling or plant derived from said seed an enhanced germination potential and/or increased tolerance against various environmental stresses compared to untreated controls. The present disclosure further relates to uses of glycine-betaine for enhancing the germination potential of a seed and/or for increasing the tolerance of a seed against environmental stress. The present disclosure also relates to seedlings and plants, or parts thereof, derived from a seed of the present invention having an increased international concentration of glycine-betaine. The present disclosure further relates to seedlings or plants, or parts thereof, obtainable by the methods of the present invention.
