Rice seed (IR64) priming with potassium humate for improvement of seed germination, seedling growth and antioxidant defense system under arsenic stress

The intolerable levels of arsenic (As) in groundwater and its application in rice cultivation are continuously affecting the rice production in Ganga-Meghna-Brahmaputra (GMB) plain. The reduced germination and plant growth rates under excessive As stress ultimately lead to lower yield. To mitigate this concerning issue, the present study was carried out to evaluate the potential of K-humate priming on seed germination and plant growth under As stress. Seeds were primed with 100 mg/l K-humate for 12 h prior to germination. The germination percentages in unprimed seeds were 65 +/- 5.0% and 58.3 +/- 7.6% under stress level of 50 mu M AsV and 50 mu M AsIII, respectively. However, germination percentage in K-humate primed seeds were 75 +/- 5.0% and 68.3 +/- 2.9% under AsV and AsIII stress, respectively. The vigour index I (VG I) and vigour index II (VG II) recorded on 12 DAS (days after seeding) were also increased by 1.47 and 1.51 fold, respectively with K-humate supplementation under As stress. Detrimental effects of AsIII on seed germination, seedling growth and other physiological parameters were more suppressive than AsV. Application of K-humate not only improved seed germination, seedling growth and nutrient uptake but also decreased the oxidative stress markers and antioxidant activities by minimizing As uptake and translocation in the seedlings.

Automated summary

The intolerable levels of arsenic in groundwater in the Ganga-Meghna-Brahmaputra plain has negative impacts on rice production. Priming seeds with K-humate can improve seed germination and plant growth under arsenic stress, increasing vigour index and reducing oxidative stress markers.