Effects of Seed Priming on Germination and Seedling Growth Under Water Stress in Rice

For disclosing the effects of seed priming with water and polyethylene glycol (PEG) on physiological characteristics in rice (Oryza sativa L.), the seeds of 4 rice cultivars were treated with H₂O and different concentrations of PEG before germination. Primed or nonprimed (control) seeds were then germinated under drought stress conditions simulated with PEG in a serious of concentrations. The contents of proline, soluble protein (SP), total soluble sugar (SS), malonicdialdehyde (MDA), and the activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) in the seeds or seedlings after 10-day stress were tested, and the indices for seed germination and seedling characteristics were determined. In seeds with priming treatments, the contents of proline and SP were significantly higher than those in the corresponding controls, and the contents of SS and MDA were significantly lower than those in the controls. Seed priming accelerated the process of glucose metabolism, enhanced the activities of PAL, SOD, CAT, and POD in the stressed seeds of all cultivars. Compared to hydro-priming, priming with PEG in a proper concentration had a better effect on seed germination and seedling growth under drought stress, and the optimal priming concentrations of PEG were 20% for Gangyou 527 (indica hybrid rice) and 10%–15% for Nongken 57 (conventional japonica rice). Even higher concentrations of PEG had negative effects on seed germination. Moderate priming intensity improved metabolism of rice seed, germination indices, seedling quality, and drought tolerance of seedlings under drought stress for all cultivars. However, such effects had limited capability, and severe drought stress inhibited germination and caused damages of rice seedlings. Rice cultivars had significant impact on priming effect, and indica rice showed better performance than japonica rice.