EFFECTS OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS AND MICRONUTRIENTS ON CROP PERFORMANCE, SEED GERMINATION AND SEEDLING VIGOUR IN RICE (ORYZA SATIVA L.)

Abstract

The experiment was conducted during the 2019-2020 growing season at the Agricultural College and Research Institute in Thanjavur, India. The effect of plant growth regulators and micronutrients for improving seed germination of rice offsprings (Oryza sativa L.) were investigated. The experiment followed a randomized block design, consisting of twelve treatments and three replications. The predominant rice variety cultivated was ADT 46, known for its long, slender grain but poor germination characteristics. The treatments involved foliar spraying at 60 and 90 days after transplanting (DAT), before panicle emergence. The highest recorded plant height was achieved with the application of Cytokinin @ 50 ppm + ZnSO4 @ 0.5% at 60 and 90 DAT during the main crop growth phase. Interestingly, for all other growth and yield parameters, the most favorable results were observed with the application of Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) @ 40 ppm + ZnSO4 @ 0.5%. Notably, this treatment significantly boosted the germination percentage to 98.38% when tested three months after storage, marking a 13.00% increase compared to the control. It also demonstrated the highest seedling vigor indexes I (2996) and II (792). Hence, it is recommended that the application of NAA @ 40 ppm + ZnSO4 @ 0.5% foliar sprays at 60 and 90 DAT to address germination issues in rice and achieve higher yield and profit for farmers.