Rice seed priming

Abstract

The priming is a technique that involves the controlled hydration of seeds up to allows the start of germination preparatory processes without permit radicle protrusion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different procedures of priming on physiological potential of rice seeds. Seeds of rice cultivars Puita Inta Inov CL and CL, each represented by a lot were used. The treatments consisted of: control, hydropriming, priming with Stimulate®, boric acid solution and zinc sulfate solution, with four replications. Prior to priming, the seeds hydration curves were determining. After priming, the seeds evaluated for germination, seedling growth, efficiency of use of the endosperm, germination at lowest temperatures and seedling emergence. Priming procedures used in this study does not improve rice seed physiological potential, of cultivars Puita Inta CL and Inov Cl. Seed priming with boric acid has a negative effect on seed performance.