Seed priming with boron improves growth and yield of fine grain aromatic rice

Boron (B) is amongst the important micronutrients required for rice from start till physiological maturity. This study was conducted to explore the role of boron application in seedling emergence, leaf appearance and elongation, chlorophyll content, water relations and yield related traits of fine rice. Boron was applied as seed priming. For priming seeds of fine rice cultivars Super Basmati and Shaheen Basmati were soaked in 0.001 and 0.01 % aerated B solutions (w/v); while untreated dry seeds and water soaked (hydropriming) seeds were taken as control. Substantial improvement in seedling emergence was noted by seed priming in 0.001 and 0.01 % solutions. Rate of leaf emergence and elongation and tiller appearance were also improved in seedlings raised from seeds primed in 0.001 % B solution in the tested cultivars. Likewise, leaf chlorophyll contents were significantly improved by B especially with 0.001 % concentration; as was the case for water relations of rice cultivars. At final harvest, all yield contributing parameters were improved by B priming. Increase in yield was due to decrease in panicle sterility by B treatments. A linear increase in leaf and grain B contents was observed with increase in concentration of B priming solution. Overall, B application at very low rate substantially improved seedling emergence, leaf appearance and elongation, tillering, chlorophyll, water relations and yield related traits resulting in better yield and grain B contents. In this regard, seed priming offers an effective and pragmatic way of B application.