Effects of pre-sowing seed treatments on seed germination and salinity tolerance of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings
By: G. A. H. Galahitigama, D. L. Wathugala
Key Words: Rice (Oryza sativa), Seed pretreatment, Salinity tolerance, Seed germination
Int. J. Agron. Agri. Res. 9(6), 112-117, December 2016.
[Generate Certificate]Abstract
The experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of different pre-sowing seed treatments on seed germination and salinity tolerance of rice seedlings during 2015-2016 at Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. Rice variety At 362 was used for these experiments. Various organic and inorganic treatments such as coconut water, fermented milk water, fermented rice water, Ascorbic acid, KCl, KNO3, ZnSO4, CaCl2 and water (control) were used as treatments. Complete Randomized Design (CRD) used as experiment design with three replicates. Cumulative germinated seed count was taken to interpret germination percentage. Under saline condition plant height, number of leaves, root volume and shoot dry weight of seedlings were taken as growth parameters. Results revealed that highest seed germination was observed in KNO3 primed seeds (95%) and lowest was recorded in Ascorbic acid treated seeds (82%). Other chemicals such as CaCl2, ZnSO4 and KCl also showed positive response for seed germination compared to control treatment. The results indicate from plant growth under saline condition revealed 2% CaCl2 enhance the salinity tolerance of initial growth of rice seedlings. The highest plant height, number of leaves, root volume and shoot dry weights were recorded in 2% CaCl2. However considering with control treatment other chemical solutions have given positive effect on plant growth and development under saline conditions.
