Improving the resilience of rice seedlings to low temperature stress through seed priming

To feed the ever-growing worldwide population, rice production in all the three (fall, winter and summer) seasons has become essential. With the increase in global climatic change, the occurrence of low temperature stress in winter particularly at seed germination stage is becoming more intense is posing a greater challenge to rice production worldwide including India. A more effective method to improve rice seed germination under low temperature stress is seed priming. The goal of the current study was to determine how different chemicals can withstand low temperatures stress through seed priming. The experiment consisted of sixteen treatment combinations (two genotypes and eight seed priming treatments) which were laid out in a 2 factorial CRD. Among the different seed priming treatments imposed, the seeds primed with salicylic acid (0.5 mM) recorded significantly higher seed germination (92.3% and 93%), seedling length (24 cm), seedling dry weight (150 mg) and seedling vigour index -I (2239) and vigour index-II (13,996) and better stress related enzyme activities (peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities) compared to other treatments during seed germination under low temperature stress.(c) 2023 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

To meet the increasing global population, rice production is necessary throughout all three seasons. However, the impact of low temperature stress, especially during seed germination in winter, is becoming more severe due to global climate change. Seed priming with different chemicals has been found to be an effective method to improve rice seed germination under low temperature stress. In this study, seeds treated with salicylic acid at 0.5 mM showed significantly higher seed germination, seedling length, seedling dry weight, seedling vigour index, and better stress-related enzyme activities compared to other treatments during seed germination under low temperature stress.