Enhancement of rice seed germination and vigour by Trichoderma spp.

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to examine the effectiveness of Trichoderma spp. to enhance rice germination and vigour. An in vitro experiment was carried out to assess the effect of seven isolates of Trichoderma spp. in enhancing rice germination and vigour. The results showed that all isolates of Trichoderma spp. significantly increased rice seedling growth, germination rate, vigour index and speed of germination with Trichoderma sp., SL2 showing the greatest increase in all the four parameters. Trichoderma sp., SL2 treated rice seeds attained values of 4.48 and 6.00 cm, 0.0084 and 0.0048 g and 1016.56 and 44.75 seeds/day for seedling shoot length seedling root length, shoot weight, root weight, vigour index and speed of germination respectively. We may conclude that Trichoderma spp. is able to enhance seed germination and vigour. The results of the study adds to the further understanding of the role of beneficial fungi in improving rice resistance to stress, yield and quality through seed invigoration. © Maxwell Scientific Organization, 2014.