The present invention relates the methods, compositions and devices for priming of plant seed, preferably seed of crop plants, and seeds obtained with the methods, compositions and devices, wherein the metabolic activity necessary for germination of the seed is not controlled by water but rather by the partial oxygen pressure and/or partial carbon dioxide pressure. In the methods of the invention, the partial oxygen or carbon dioxide pressure may be measured by oxygen/carbon dioxide sensitive fluorescent dye. The invention further relates to processes for producing a primed seed lot of a plant species and to a container comprising primed seed under an atmosphere with a partial oxygen pressure that is below the critical oxygen pressure.