Study the Effect of the Terrestrial Cyanobacterium Nostoc commune Aque-ous Extract on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Rice

Seed priming has a significant effect on seed germination and improves the estab-lishment of crops. In this study, rice seeds (Oryza sativa L. cv. Shiroodi) were primed by different concentrations (0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 g/l) of Nostoc com-mune Vauch aqueous extract. Furthermore, seedling growth, seed germination rate and percentage were examined. The results showed that N. commune extract had a sig-nificant positive effect on increasing the per-cent and rate of seed germination. Indeed, the length of roots and shoots in seedlings obtained from primed seeds with N. com-mune extract increased comparing to those of the seedlings from primed seeds with water. Additionally, the highest seed germi-nation percentage and seedling length was obtained by 0.025 g/l N. commune extract. Based on the results, seed germination and seedling growth was not affected positively by seed priming with N. commune extract at concentrations more than 0.1 g/l. Therefore, sowing rice seeds with a low concentration of N. commune extract can improve seed germination and seedling establishment.