Effect of Oxygen and Temperature Levels on the Seedling Characteristics of Korean and Anaerobic Germination-tolerant Rice under Flooding Conditions

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to compare the germination and seedling characteristics of rice varieties grown under various flooding conditions and different temperature and oxygen levels and to identify germplasm suitable for wet direct seeding. Three anaerobic germination tolerant (AGT) genotypes (PBR, WD3, KHO) and eleven Korean rice varieties (KVs) adapted for direct seeding were evaluated for seedling performance under different temperatures (15, 18, 21, and 24°C) and oxygen levels (Low, Normal, High). Compared with the KVs, the AGT genotypes (especially KHO and PBR) exhibited relatively high germination and survival rates and coleoptile and radical growth rates under low temperature and low oxygen conditions, thereby indicating their suitability for wet direct seeding. Among the KVs, ‘Dongan,’ ‘Jungan,’ and ‘Cheongdam’ rice exhibited the highest survival rates under low temperature and low oxygen conditions. Three-way ANOVA indicated that temperature had the greater effects on seedling characteristics (43.2-78.0%) than either oxygen level (15.4-37.5%) or genotype (2.0-29.8%) did. Therefore, in direct seeding cultivation, temperature was the most important environmental factor for seedling establishment.