Interactive Effect of Potassium Nitrate and Silicon Dioxide Approach for Enhanced Germination and Seedling Growth of Rice Var. FARO44

Abstract

Presoaking of cereals and legumes is an easy, simple and low-skill required approach for promoting faster germination as well as seedling growth that is practiced worldwide. In this study, laboratory experiments were performed to examine the benefits of combination of potassium nitrate and silicon dioxide treatments on germination and seedling growth of FARO44 rice. In the laboratory, FARO44 rice seeds soaked in 2.5% KNO₃+3% SiO₂ and 5% KNO₃+3.5% SiO₂ were germinated in specimen bottles for two weeks. Each treatment had five replications. The results found that soaking in 2.5% KNO₃+3% SiO₂ and 5% KNO₃+3.5% SiO₂ significantly increased germination, seedling growth and seedling vigour. However, there were no significant differences between 5% KNO₃+3.5% SiO₂ and 2.5% KNO₃+3% SiO₂ in improving germination and seedling growth of FARO44 rice. These combined concentrations of potassium nitrate and silicon dioxide are thus recommended for improving seed germination and seedling growth of FARO44 rice.