Rice Seed Priming with Swine Manure Extract to Ameliorate Vigor and nutrient Status of Seedlings

Abstract

Seed priming is one of the strategies for improving rice seedling development in an unfavorable environment. The effects of seed priming by concentrated swine manure extract (CSME) solution were evaluated on rice seedling vigor and nutrient status during the germination of aged and non-aged rice seed of the cultivar Pathum Thani 1 at the Suwanvajokkasikit Animal Research and Development Institute, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus from March to August 2012. The CSME was diluted with water to ratios of 1:1, 1:2, 1:5, 1:25, 1:50, 1:100 and 1:200 volume to volume to make the tested CSME dilutions for the rice seed priming. The results showed that CSME seed priming significantly (P < 0.05) increased the vigor of rice seedlings, including the shoot and root length, fresh weight and dry weight at 21 d after sowing. Seed priming with a CSME dilution of 1:100 provided the optimal results for rice seedling improvement by significantly improving seedling vigor and the contents of P, Ca, Fe, Mn, B, Mo, Ni and Na in the rice seedlings when compared to the non-priming group. The results confirmed that CSME seed priming can enhance seedling vigor and the nutrient status of the rice seeds.