Effects of Osmo-priming Duration on Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Seed Germination and Seedling Parameters

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the effects of osmo-priming duration on the germination and seedling parameters of rice seeds. Two rice varieties FARO 44 and FARO 59 were used for the study. Three osmo-priming chemicals (Calcium chloride CaCl, Potassium nitrate KN03 and Polyethylene glycol PEG6000) and four priming duration's (Control, 12, 24 and 36 hours in the above chemical solutions) as treatments in the study. Data were collected on the following parameters; final germination percentage, germination rate index, mean germination time, coefficient of velocity of germination, seedling height, seedling fresh weight and seedling dry weight. For most of the parameters, osmo-priming duration was statistically significant. The results showed that chemical priming treatments had significant effect on final germination percentage, mean germination time, germination rate index, coefficient of velocity of germination, seedling height and seedling weight of rice seeds. Primed with KNO3, PEG6000 and CaCl solution for a period of 24 - 36 hours is a remarkable technique for improving seed germination and seedling growth of rice. The no priming treatment showed the lowest final germination percentage, mean germination time, germination rate index, coefficient of velocity of germination, seedling height and seedling weight of rice seeds. Therefore, the present study concludes that improvement of germination capacity and rapidity of germination of rice seed could be possible by employing osmo-priming duration treatments.