Effect of Nitrate Seed Priming on Phenology, Growth Rate And Yield Attributes In Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

To investigate the effect of seed priming with or without nitrate salts (Mg (NO3)(2) and KNO3) in some rice varieties on mobilization of dry matter to yield components, a field experiment was carried out in two consecutives years, 2006 and 2007 at Agricultural Farm of Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India. Dry matter mobilization had an important effect on grain yield in all used rice varieties. The amount of dry matter however accumulated in reproductive parts, different under different priming treatments and varieties, was found better in nitrate primed sets. Varietal difference in grain yield was most closely related with Crop Growth Rate (CGR) during late reproductive period. The rice varieties having higher CGR during this period produced a greater number of spikelets and filled grains per unit land area. Simultaneously, lower number of half filled and chalky spikeletes was produced in all the primed sets. The large variability in various primed sets as compared to non primed one in CGR during the late reproductive period and protein content in grain at harvest might be derived from greater absorption of nutrient, water, further produced photosynthate and their translocation towards reproductive parts. These results indicated that improvement in yield determining parameters by using of seed priming particularly with nitrate sets may be essential as a first step towards increasing yield potential in rice in India.