RICE SEED PRIMING TO OVERCOME SALT STRESS CONDITIONS

This study investigated the potential of seed priming for induction of salt tolerance in rice. Two lots of rice seeds (high and low vigor) cv Sakha 106 were primed in aerated solutions of KNO3 2%, CaCl2 2%, PEG 2%, ascorbic acid 100 ppm and control (distill water) each for 24 h. Two experiments were conducted in laboratory and pots. The primed seeds were planted in (0, 3000, 4500, 6000 and7500 ppm NaCl) at Seed Technology Research Unit, Mansoura. Seed Technology Research Department, ARC. The results revealed that priming with KNO3 2% followed by control, CaCl2 2% , ascorbic acid 100 ppm, and PEG 2% were more effective in inducing salt tolerance owing to improved seed germination, seedling vigor index, speed of germination, rate of germination and seedling emergence in pots experiment in 0 and 3000 ppm NaCl. Freshly harvested seed recorded higher germination percentage (80%). It is therefore recommended that KNO3 could be adopted for priming rice seed under 3000 ppm as it maintained seed viability and seedling vigor optimally among other treatments. Reduced germination parameters due to increasing salinity levels up to 7500 ppm. The results showed that application of KNO3 or CaCl2 at 2% improved all studied seed quality traits under salinity stress conditions. Thus, results signify the role of priming substances and high vigor in regulating salinity response of pre-treated seed could be used as a potential growth regulator, for improving common seedlings growth under salinity stress conditions.