Optimization Of Zinc Seed Priming Treatments For Improving The Germinationand Early Seedling Growth Of Oryza Sativa

Background: Seed priming is a technique that is used to regulate seed germination through temperature and moisture content management, which helps to increase the seed germinating potential. Zinc (zn) is an essential micronutrient for rice grwoth and development. Lab and pot experiments were conducted to explore the portential of seed priming with Zn for improving the germination and early seedling growth of fine grain rice.Methods: Zinc was applied as seed priming. For priming, seeds of fine rice cultivar Super Basmathi and Shaheen Basmati were soaked in 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.5% and 1% aerated Zn solutions (w/v); while untreated dry seeds and water soaked seeds were taken control.Results: Seed seed priming with 0.1% Zn solution not only reduced the time for 50% germination but it also decreased the mean germination time. Moreover,seed priming with 0.1% and 0.5% Zn solution improved the germination vigour, germination index and final germination percentage in both the tested cultivars. Similarly, plume length, radicle length, seedling dry weights and vigour index were also improved by seed priminbg with 0.1% and 0.5% Zn solution. Application of 0.1% Zn solution also imporved tillering, leaf emergence, leaf elongation and chlorophyll content. However, increase in concentration application of Zn from 0.1% to 0.5% was tosxic for seeds of both cultivars.Conclusion: In conclusion, rice seeds may be primed with 0.5% Zn solution used to improve the germination and early seedling growth.