Stimulation of rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedling vigour by smoke-water and butenolide

The newly identified smoke-compound butenolide (3-methyl-2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one) can improve seedling vigour. This study highlights the effects of smoke-water and butenolide on shoot and root elongation of a local rice variety. Smoke-water (1 : 500) and butenolide (10(-8) M) treatments significantly increased shoot length. A low concentration of butenolide (10(-10) M) promoted maximum root length and seedling weight, which were significantly different from the control. Butenolide-treated (10(-8) M) seedlings had a significantly greater number of lateral roots than untreated seedlings. The vigour index of smoke-water (1 : 500) and butenolide-treated (10(-8) M) rice seeds was significantly higher than that of untreated seeds. These findings suggest the possible use of butenolide for promoting vigorous seedlings in rice.