Germination behaviour and chlorophyll content of aromatic rice genotypes under varied nitrogen concentrations

Abstract

Nitrogen can influence the seed germination parameters and leaf pigment content in aromatic rice. Parameters such has Final germination percentage (FGP), mean daily germination, peak value, germination value, rate of germination and mean germination time were studies in different nitrogen concentration. Final germination percentage was decreased with increasing nitrogen concentrations. Other germination parameters were performed variably under different nitrogen concentration. Similarly seedling parameters viz., root length, shoot length, and root/shoot length ratio expressed higher under treatment compared to control. The shoot length was increased with increasing nitrogen concentration; however the root length was increased upto certain level and then decreased. Among all the genotypes Basmati 370 given maximum response in all the germination parameters in contrast Ratnasundari. Among the treatments the maximum FGP was recorded in N-0 and least in N-200. Significant variation was observed in leaf pigment content amongst different varieties and treatments. The mean of Chlorophyll a, Chlorophyll b, Total Chlorophyll and Carotinoids content was higher in N-100 and minimum response was noticed in control. The mean Chl a/b content was superior in control and least response recorded in N-200. Finally our study concluded that N-100 treatment is the optimal level for seedling parameters and Chl content. While the rate of germination was higher in media lacking nitrate and among the genotypes, Basmati 370 was more tolerant and Ratnasundari was more sensitive to nitrogen stress. This indicates that nitrate could be the most critical factor in delaying germination, though the amount of delay varied between genotypes.