EFFECT OF OSMO-PRIMING ON SEED QUALITY ATTRIBUTES OF ARTIFICIALLY AGED RICE (Oryza sativa L.) SEEDS

Introduction: As per Indian minimum seed certification standards, minimum germination percentage for certified rice seeds needs to be above 80%. During storage and transport of seeds, it is likely to be affected by high humidity and temperature fluctuations which subsequently can lead to loss in seed viability and vigour. Priming technology has proven in reversing the detrimental effects of seed deterioration and increasing seedling vigour, seedling length and seedling dry weight. Therefore, standardization of a priming technique is imperative to ameliorate deteriorated seeds affected due to natural ageing or variable storage conditions.

Materials and Methods: In the present study, two rice cultivars viz., PRH-10 and KMR-3 were initially subjected to an accelerated ageing test and further osmo-primed with various chemicals viz., potassium nitrate, polyethylene glycol, zinc sulphate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate and salicylic acid. Effect of various osmo-priming treatments and its effect on seed germination, vigour and biochemical properties were analysed.

Results and Discussion: Exposition of seeds to accelerated ageing test of both the varieties resulted in reduction of germination percentage, and vigour index I and II. However, with different osmo-priming treatments, germination percentage, seedling dry weight and vigour indices I and II were found to increased notably in accelerated ageing test seeds.

Conclusion: Among the various treatments, seeds osmo-primed with ZnSO4 and salicylic acid were found to beneficial in improving seed germination in PRH-10 and KMR-3 varieties.