Growth, yield and water productivity of rice as influenced by seed priming under alternate wetting and drying irrigation

Abstract

Seed priming is a vital seed enhancement tool used for mitigating various biotic and abiotic stresses, improving seedling growth and enhancing crop productivity. Alternate wetting and drying (AWD), a water-saving technique, reduces irrigation water input in rice production without compromising yield. A factorial experiment consisting of seven priming treatments (non-primed control, hydropriming, Trichoderma, silicon dioxide, salicylic acid, potassium nitrate, abscisic acid) and three soil water potential levels maintained through AWD irrigation (0, –15, –30 kPa) was conducted to explore potential benefits of seed priming in mitigating water-deficit stress. Grain yield was not significantly different between 0 and –15 kPa regardless of priming treatments. However, it was reduced at –30 kPa under all treatments, except for Trichoderma. Seed priming with Trichoderma resulted in 52%, 68% and 77% higher grain yield and 52%, 70% and 66% higher water productivity at 0, –15 and –30 kPa, respectively, than the control. Rice can be safely grown with AWD irrigation level up to –15 kPa. However, seed priming with Trichoderma is recommended where frequent irrigation is difficult to practice and soil water potential drops below –15 kPa. Seed priming with potassium nitrate is also a promising option when soil water potential drops below –15 kPa.