Improvement of rice seed germination and seedling growth using seed priming

Abstract

Background: Improvement of rice seed germination as well as growth of seedlings which will eventually result in higher yield is highly needed. Objectives: In a study was conducted to determine the influence of seed priming on germination and seedling growth of rice. Methods: The osmotic priming media used were 100mM CaCl₂, 40% (w/v) polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 and 100 mg/kg kinetin solutions. Rice seeds (50g) of variety MR 219 were soaked in each of the priming media for the duration of 24 and 48hours respectively to have a total of seven treatments with inclusion of the control. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Data collection was on root fresh and dry masses, shoot fresh and dry masses, root length and shoot length, final germination percentage, root volume, electrical conductivity, days to 50% germination, germination index, seedling vigour index, succulence index and root to shoot ratio. Results: The results showed that priming treatments improved root dry mass, shoot fresh and dry masses, shoot length, final germination percentage, root volume, electrical conductivity, days to 50% germination, germination index and seedling vigour index. From the priming media used, priming with 40 % (w/v) PEG₆₀₀₀ for duration of 24hours improved root and shoot dry masses, shoot length and root volume. Conclusions: It could, therefore, be concluded that priming with 40 % (w/v) PEG₆₀₀₀ for duration of 24hours be used for improving seedling growth of MR219 rice variety.

Keywords: Rice, germination, seedling growth, osmotic priming and hormonal priming