Germination and seedling growth as affected by presowing PEG seed treatments in (Oryza sativa L.)

In order to evaluate the effect of seed priming techniques ,temperature and duration on germination and early growth of three Rice cultivars (Fajer, Sherodi and Taram), seeds were primed by soaking in polyethylene glycol (PEG6000) solutions at concentrations of 10% and 20% and Distilled water for12, 24 and 36 hours, at three temperature levels (20, 25 and 30°C). Also untreated seeds used at control. Maximum seed germination percentage was related to cv. Sherodi when the seeds primed by PEG 10%. All seed priming treatments resulted in lower MGT than that of control. The seed priming duration of 24h was suitable for all cultivars. Seed priming at 25°C temperature was suitable compared to others. Furthermore distilled water had positive effect on stem and radicle length in Taram cultivar. But seed priming treatments had not positive effect on stem and seedling length in Sherodi cultivar.