Effect of Bio-Priming on Seed Quality Parameters of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
R. Ravinder Rao Yadav *
Department of Seed Science and Technology, S.V. Agricultural College, ANGRAU, Tirupati-517 502, Andhra Pradesh, India.
S. Vasundhara
Department of Seed Science and Technology, Polytechnic of Agriculture, Reddipalli-515 701, Andhra Pradesh, India.
B. Rupesh Kumar Reddy
Department of Seed Science and Technology, S.V. Agricultural College, ANGRAU, Tirupati-517 502, Andhra Pradesh, India.
M. Raveendra Reddy
Department of Microbiology, ARS, ANGRAU, Amaravathi-522 020, Andhra Pradesh, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of bio-priming with Azospirillum, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB), and Potassium solubilizing bacteria (KSB) on seed quality parameters of rice (Oryza sativa L.). Bio-priming is a sustainable agricultural practice that involves the use of beneficial microorganisms to enhance plant growth. Standardization experiment was done using 35 treatments in laboratory using Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The best performed 10 treatments were selected for field study. The field experiment was conducted in Randomized Block Design (RBD). The harvested seeds were further subjected to quality tests in the laboratory using Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Among different treatments, Azospirillum bio-primed at 10% and 12 hours of soaking and pseudomonas fluorescens bio-primed at 20% and 12 hours of soaking showed significant results for germination percentage, seedling vigour index, field emergence, highest seedling length.
Keywords: Bio-priming, Azospirillum, Pseudomonas fluorescens, potassium solubilizing bacteria, phosphorus solubilizing bacteria