SEED PRIMING WITH POTASSIUM NITRATE IMPROVES THE SALINITY STRESS TOLERANCE IN RICE (ORIYZA SATIVA L.)

Abstract

Salinity is one of the major abiotic stresses that affect the crop production. Adverse physiological and biochemical changes are caused by salinity stress. Potassium (K) is one of the vital elements required for plant growth and physiology. It helps in maintaining ion homeostasis and regulation of osmotic balance in plants under salinity stress. Seed priming is the most frequently used technique to enhance the crop establishment under salinity conditions. It stimulates the pre-germination metabolic processes. Antioxidant system activity and repair of membrane are escalated by Seed Priming. In the present study, a pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of seed priming with Potassium Nitrate (KNO3) on the growth, physiological and biochemical parameters of rice seedlings under salinity stress. The experiment was conducted at Botanical Garden, University of the Punjab, Lahore. The experiment was designed as randomized complete block design. Two rice cultivars i.e. Basmati 515, KSK-133 and two different concentrations of NaCl i.e. 75, and 100 mM, were used. Rice seed were soaked in different concentrations of KNO3 i.e. 1, 1.5 and 2% for 12 hours at 25 oC. Different growth parameters i.e. leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, plant height, number of tillers and number leaves were observed during the experiment. Antioxidant enzyme activity, total Chlorophyll content, soluble Protein content, Proline content and total Phenolic content will also be determined to evaluate the effect of KNO3 under salinity stress.