育苗基质添加腐植酸促进番茄穴盘苗生长改善生理特性

【目的】以番茄为材料,研究穴盘育苗基质中腐植酸添加对幼苗生长及硝酸还原酶活性、光合参数等的影响,为培育优质壮苗和腐植酸的应用提供参考依据。【方法】番茄育苗基质以草炭、蛭石、珍珠岩按体积比4:3:2配成,其中腐植酸含量为54.5 g/L（约11.85%）,播种前在基质中分别添加折合纯腐植酸0（CK）、10 g/L（T1）、20 g/L（T2）、30 g/L（T3）、40 g/L（T4）,共5个处理,每处理3次重复,每个重复3个穴盘。待植株长到5叶1心（子叶展开后29~31天）时测定番茄幼苗的生长指标、根系活力、硝酸还原酶活性、光合色素含量、光合参数和叶绿素荧光参数。【结果】T1、T2、T3处理均显著提高了番茄幼苗的株高、茎粗,对番茄幼苗根干重的提高幅度大于地上部干重;T1、T2处理显著提高了根冠比和壮苗指数,T3处理与CK差异不显著;各生长指标均以T2处理表现最好,T4处理最差。T1、T2、T3处理显著提高了根系活力和硝酸还原酶活性,而T4处理二者明显降低。基质中适当提高腐植酸含量,可提高番茄幼苗叶片各种光合色素含量,但腐植酸含量过高,则会降低各光合色素含量。T1、T2、T3处理的Pn、Gs、Ci均显著高于CK,均以T2处理最高,T4处理的Pn、Gs显著低于CK,但其Ci高于CK;Tr表现为CK最高,随腐植酸添加量的增加,逐渐降低。T1、T2处理的Fo、NPQ均低于CK,且以T2处理的最低,T3、T4处理的均高于CK,且以T4处理的最高;各处理的Fv/Fm和ΦPSⅡ的大小顺序均为T2 > T1 > CK > T3 > T4,其中T1、T2处理显著高于CK,T3、T4处理则显著低于CK。【结论】番茄育苗基质中腐植酸在已含有54.5 g/L的基础上以添加20 g/L能够更好地促进番茄穴盘苗生长,改善其生理活动,对培育壮苗有更好的效果。     

不同供磷状况下CO2浓度升高对番茄根系生长及养分吸收的影响

采用培养试验研究了磷缺乏与正常供磷条件下,CO2浓度由350μL/L升高至800μL/L苗期番茄的生物量、根系特征和不同器官N、P、K养分含量的变化。结果表明,无论缺磷与否,CO2浓度升高均能显著增加番茄地上部及根系的干物质积累量,提高根冠比。在磷缺乏条件下,CO2浓度升高对番茄根系生长的促进主要表现为增加根系的体积和表面积;而在磷正常供应条件下主要表现为同时增加根体积和分根数,有利于形成强壮的根系。在两种供磷水平下,CO2浓度升高对番茄各器官的N、P、K含量产生不同的稀释效应,但N、P、K总积累量却随CO2浓度升高而显著增加;而且CO2浓度与供P水平对番茄植株的N、P、K积累量具有极显著的正交互效应。     

不同供磷状况下CO2浓度升高对番茄根系生长及养分吸收的影响

采用培养试验研究了磷缺乏与正常供磷条件下,CO₂浓度由350μL/L升高至800μL/L苗期番茄的生物量、根系特征和不同器官N、P、K养分含量的变化。结果表明,无论缺磷与否,CO₂浓度升高均能显著增加番茄地上部及根系的干物质积累量,提高根冠比。在磷缺乏条件下,CO₂浓度升高对番茄根系生长的促进主要表现为增加根系的体积和表面积;而在磷正常供应条件下主要表现为同时增加根体积和分根数,有利于形成强壮的根系。在两种供磷水平下,CO₂浓度升高对番茄各器官的N、P、K含量产生不同的稀释效应,但N、P、K总积累量却随CO₂浓度升高而显著增加;而且CO₂浓度与供P水平对番茄植株的N、P、K积累量具有极显著的正交互效应。     

Amendment of hydroponic nutrient solution with humic acid and glutamic acid in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) culture

Abstract

Can humic acid (HA) and glutamic acid (GA), when added to tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. ‘Hongyangli’) nutrient solution in a hydroponic system, improve growth? Tomato seedlings were grown in six nutrient solutions: (1) control (C), (2) C + 25 mg L^?1 HA (HA1); (3) C + 50 mg L^?1 HA (HA2); (4) C + 100 mg L^?1 GA; (5) HA1 + GA; (6) HA2 + GA. Various biochemical and physiological parameters were measured. HA increased photosynthesis rate and mesophyll conductance. HA did not significantly affect transpiration, stomatal conductance, titratable acidity, or antioxidant activity. In addition, GA improved protein and sugar content, mesophyll conductance and yield. The combination of HA and GA was more effective, especially with 50 mg L^?1 HA. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidases (POD) did not change in the presence of HA or GA. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content increased by 30% in HA2 together with GA. HA has a positive effect on tomato hydroponic growth when applied with GA. This expands the use of HA and GA for horticultural commodities in hydroponic systems.     

Effects of humic acid and Ca(NO3)2 on nutrient contents in pepper (Capsicum annuum) seedling under salt stress

This study was carried out in order to determine the effects of calcium nitrate (Ca(NO₃)₂) and humic acid (HA) applications on nutrient uptake of pepper seedling under salt stress in a plant growth room. Before sowing Demre variety of pepper seeds, 60?mM NaCI was added to each 300?cm³ pot. The experiment was ended at eighth week after the sowing. Applications of HA significantly affected K, Ca, Fe, Mn, Zn (p?p?3)₂ applications did not show a significant effect on Fe and Cu contents of pepper seedling. However, Ca(NO₃)₂ applications significantly affected N and P contents (p?<.05) and K, Ca, Mn, and Zn contents (p?相似文献   

Response surface optimization of cultivation conditions for yield of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) in greenhouses

There is a great potential for greenhouse tomato fruit yield improvement in China for the low yield per hectare. We evaluated the effects of multi-factors (plant density, nitrogen (N) and K₂O fertilizer) on fruit yield of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Jinfan 4) by response surface methodology with a 5-level-3-factor central composite design. A multivariate quadratic regression model of fruit yield was established. Results showed that N fertilizer was the most significant for fruit yield, followed by K₂O fertilizer and plant density. Fruit yield showed a parabolic trend with increasing fertilizer levels or plant density. There was a significant interaction effect between plant density and fertilizer levels. Optimal conditions were obtained: 4.83 × 10⁴ plants ha^?1 for density, 262 kg ha^?1 for N and 513 kg ha^?1 for K₂O. Under these conditions, the predicted fruit yield was 119,381 kg ha^?1, while the actual fruit yield from verification test was 121,005 kg ha^?1.     

Effect of presowing seed treatments on germination and early seedling growth of wheat varieties under saline conditions

The effect of presowing wheat seed treatments was investigated for the salt-sensitive variety Blue Silver and relatively salt-tolerant variety PARI-73 at the germination and early seedling stages. Seeds were treated with distilled water (DW) or 10/50 mm KCl, KNO₃ , CaCl₂, Ca(NO₃)₂ and then germinated in DW or 200 mm NaCl. Treatment with calcium (Ca) or potassium (K) did not lead to a significantly higher rate for final germination than the DW treatment. Ca salt treatments significantly improved shoot growth during the early seedling establishment stage in both varieties, especially in the salt-sensitive variety Blue Silver. There were significant differences in the Ca content of seeds after various presowing treatments. There were also significant differences between both varieties in the ion contents after seed treatment. However, these differences appeared to be related to the improvement of shoot growth during the early seedling establishment stage and not to the effectiveness of pres owing seed treatments in increasing germination.     

Plant regeneration from hypocotyl and cotyledon explant of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

Three tomato cultivars were used to examine the influence of the genetic background on the regeneration efficiency. White embryonic calli were formed within two weeks of culture. Shoots emerged either directly from the explant or indirectly from the embryonic callus. Multiple adventitious shoots were formed by clonal propagation of somatic embryos in the presence of 2 mg zeatin L^-1. The meristematic end of the hypocotyl of the cultivar Pontaroza showed a high regeneration frequency (70.2%) compared with the cotyledonary leaf explant (35.3%). The plants grown in the green house and the regenerants obtained showed a similar peroxidase banding pattern. The combined analysis of variance indicated that the difference in shoot induction between cultivars was highly significant. Shoot induction frequency was 57.2%, 43.5%, and 35.5% for the cultivars UC-97, Pontaroza, and Zuishi, respectively. The regeneration frequency was 50%, 28%, and 20% for the cultivars UC-97, Pontaroza, and Zuishi, respectively. The observed differences in shoot induction between cultivars were due to the genetic difference between them.     

聚合果属生物炭引起的咸水灌溉下土壤养分有效性和番茄生长变化

Thermally modified organic materials commonly known as biochar have gained popularity of being used as a soil amendment.Little information, however, is available on the role of biochar in alleviating the negative impacts of saline water on soil productivity and plant growth. This study, therefore, was conducted to investigate the effects of Conocarpus biochar(BC) and organic farm residues(FR) at different application rates of 0.0%(control), 4.0% and 8.0%(weight/weight) on yield and quality of tomatoes grown on a sandy soil under drip irrigation with saline or non-saline water. The availability of P, K, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu to plants was also investigated. The results demonstrated clearly that addition of BC or FR increased the vegetative growth, yield and quality parameters in all irrigation treatments. It was found that salt stress adversely affected soil productivity, as indicated by the lower vegetative growth and yield components of tomato plants. However, this suppressing effect on the vegetative growth and yield tended to decline with application of FR or BC, especially at the high application rate and in the presence of biochar. Under saline irrigation system, for instance, the total tomato yield increased over the control by 14.0%–43.3% with BC and by 3.9%–35.6% with FR. These could be attributed to enhancement effects of FR or BC on soil properties, as indicated by increases in soil organic matter content and nutrient availability. Therefore, biochar may be effectively used as a soil amendment for enhancing the productivity of salt-affected sandy soils under arid conditions.     

Effects of fractions of coal-derived humic substances on seed germination and growth of seedlings (Lactuga sativa and Lycopersicum esculentum)

Summary Lettuce and tomato seeds were treated in Petri dishes with a humic acid derived from an oxidized coal and with fractions of the same humic acid obtained by ultrafiltration through membranes of known molecular cutoff and by extracting with buffers set at pH 4 and pH 5. The unfractionated humic acid was applied at 40, 100, 1000, and 5000 mg l^-1 whereas the humic fractions were applied at 40, 100, and 200 mg l^-1. Germination parameters such as the number of total germinated seeds, the velocity of seed germination, the fresh weight and dry weight of total seedlings were measured and related to the chemical and physicochemical properties of the humic material. No increase in the germination percentage or the germination rate was observed for either lettuce or tomato seeds. The fresh weight of total seedlings and per seedling increased in treatments with unfractionated humic acid with increasing concentrations for both lettuce and tomato plants without showing signs of growth inhibition up to 5000 mg l^-1. This was attributed to cell elongation and more efficient water uptake. For the lettuce, the fresh weight both of total seedlings and per seedling was enhanced by treating the seeds with fractions of low molecular weight and high content of acidic functions, whereas the dry weight both of total seedlings and per seedling did not change with the humic fraction used. For the tomato seeds in contrast, the dry weight both of total seedlings and per seedling was increased by the use of unfractionated humic acid and by some of the humic fractions. An uptake of humic material by growing tomato seedlings was inferred.     

Effect of difference between day and night temperature on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) root activity and low molecular weight organic acid secretion

The difference between day and night temperature (DIF) is a major environmental factor affecting crop growth, but the mechanisms are not fully understood. We investigated crop performance, root activity and concentrations of low molecular weight organic acids (LMWOAs) secreted by tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) root under different DIF conditions. A fixed daily temperature of 25°C and five DIF treatments (?12, ?6, 0, 6 and 12°C) were used to grow tomato in a climate chamber. Root/shoot ratio; leaf maximum photosynthetic rate (P_max); root activity; total nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) concentrations in roots; and types and concentrations of LMWOAs were measured at different growth stages. Results showed that positive and negative DIFs inhibited the dry matter accumulation of aerial parts, while 0°C DIF was conducive to the accumulation. Compared to 0°C DIF, positive DIFs significantly increased root dry weight, P_max, root activity and total N, P and K concentrations in roots, while negative DIFs had contrary effects. During the whole growth period, tomato root activity decreased in the order of fruit setting stage, mature stage and flowering stage. Tomato roots secreted oxalic acid, formic acid, malic acid, malonic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, citric acid, succinic acid and propionic acid under positive DIFs, while acetic acid was not detected in the negative DIF treatments. Oxalic acid concentration was significantly higher than other LMWOAs. Furthermore, in the same growth stage, positive DIFs caused more LMWOA secretion than negative DIFs and 0°C DIF. There were significant positive correlations between the total LMWOA concentration and root activity, root/shoot ratio, P_max and total N, P and K concentrations in roots. Based on the results, more attention should be paid to the potential effect on tomato growth posed by DIFs, positive DIFs have higher positive influence than negative DIFs, and 6°C DIF is best for greenhouse tomato growth.     

二氧化碳施肥对番茄幼苗生长与养分吸收利用的影响

Exposing tomato seedlings to elevated CO2 concentrations may have potentially profound impacts on the tomato yield and quality. A growth chamber experiment was designed to estimate how different nutrient concentrations influenced the effect of elevated CO2 on the growth and nutrient uptake of tomato seedlings. Tomato (Hezuo 906) was grown in pots placed in controlled growth chambers and was subjected to ambient or elevated CO2 (360 or 720 μL L-1), and four nutrient solutions of different strengths (1/2-, 1/4-, 1/8-, and 1/16-strength Japan Yamazaki nutrient solutions) in a completely randomized design. The results indicated that some agricultural characteristics of the tomato seedlings such as the plant height, stem thickness, total dry and fresh weights of the leaves, stems and roots, the G value (G value = total plant dry weight/seedling age),and the seedling vigor index (seedling vigor index = stem thickness/(plant height × total plant dry weight) increased with the elevated CO2, and the increases were strongly dependent on the nutrient solution concentrations, being greater with higher nutrient solution concentrations. The elevated CO2 did not alter the ratio of root to shoot. The total N, P, K, and C absorbed from all the solutions except P in the 1/8- and 1/16-strength nutrient solutions increased in the elevated CO2 treatment. These results demonstrate that the nutrient demands of the tomato seedlings increased at elevated CO2 concentrations.     

Effect of humic acid on growth and crop nutrient status of wheat on two different soils

The effect of plant-derived humic acid (PDHA) and coal-derived humic acid (CDHA) on wheat growth was tested on two alkaline calcareous soils in pots. Humic acid derived from plant and coal materials was applied at the rate 0 (control), 50 and 100 kg/ha to wheat in pots carrying two soils viz. clayey loam soil and sandy loam soil separately. Data was collected on plant growth parameters such as spike weight, grain and straw weight, and plant nutrients (macronutrients and micronutrients). Results showed that spike weight increased by 19%, 15%, and 26%, and 11% with application of PDHA at the rate of 50 and 100 mg/kg in clayey loam and sandy loam soil, respectively. Grain yield show an increase of 21% and 11% over control with application of PDHA and CDHA at the rate of 50 mg/kg on both soils, respectively, and 10% and 22% with application of PDHA and CDHA at the rate of 100 mg/kg on both soils.     

Effect of nitrogen,phosphorus and potassium fertilizer on growth and seed germination of Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medikus

We investigated how plant height, number of stem and branch, seed production and seed germination of Capsella bursa-pastoris were affected by nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilizer using a pot fertilizer experiment. Plant growth parameter was determined, and fully ripen seeds were tested for germination. C. bursa-pastoris exhibited great phenotypic variation in plant height, number of stem and branch in relation to N, P and K supply. Seed production per plant was lowest in the control and low P treatment, and highest in NPK treatment. More than 16,000 seeds per plant were produced in treatments where N and P were applied together. A balanced N, P and K supply results in producing a high percentage and fast germinating seeds, while a deficiency of P and K together with a high N supply results in low germination ability and fast germinating of the produced seeds in C. bursa-pastoris.     

木醋液土壤灌溉对土壤养分、番茄产量及品质的影响

采用田间小区试验,研究了木醋液不同灌溉量对土壤养分、盐碱和番茄产量及品质的影响。结果表明,土壤灌溉木醋液可提高土壤碱解氮、速效钾、有效磷含量,且使用量越大,效果越明显,其中有效磷含量增加最为显著,与对照相比可提高9.27%~25.51%;木醋液也可提高土壤有机质及全盐含量,但与对照相比差异不显著;木醋液还可降低土壤p H值,与对照相比可降低0.14~0.27个单位。木醋液低[2.25 t/(次·hm~2)]、中[4.50 t/(次·hm~2)]用量能显著提高番茄株高、增加产量,其中低用量效果最好,与对照相比可提高株高10.53%,增加产量11.52%;高用量[7.50 t/(次·hm~2)]对番茄生长具有一定抑制作用。木醋液可提高番茄可溶性糖含量5.27%~10.28%,提高Vc含量3.46%~17.15%,降低硝酸盐含量4.25%~15.33%,对有机酸含量影响不明显。综上所述,建议设施土壤番茄季木醋液灌溉量为2.25~4.50 t/(次·hm~2)为宜。     

废水灌溉下有机物料对重度盐渍土养分及芦苇生长的影响

在山东滨州含盐量为16.7 g.kg 1的重度退化滨海盐碱湿地,研究了造纸废水灌溉条件下添加有机物料对盐渍土养分和芦苇生长的影响,以期为重度退化滨海盐碱湿地的生物修复提供依据。试验从春季开始进行,共设4种处理:翻耕对照(CK)、翻耕+废水灌溉(FF)、翻耕+废水灌溉+秸秆(FFJ)以及翻耕+废水灌溉+污泥(FFW),测定了不同处理下土壤养分、呼吸强度、含盐量及芦苇株高和生物量的变化。结果表明,与对照相比,各处理土壤有机质显著提高,10月末时FFJ、FFW和FF处理土壤有机质含量分别是对照的1.34倍、1.29倍和1.22倍;碱解氮和有效磷含量也高于对照,依次为FFW>FFJ>FF>CK;各处理土壤呼吸强度高于对照,其中FFJ处理显著高于对照,比试验初期提高96%;各处理表层土壤含盐量均出现不同程度降低,以FFJ和FFW降低幅度最大,分别比对照降低22.6%和16.3%;FFW、FFJ和FF处理的芦苇株高显著高于对照,8月末分别是对照的3.1倍、2.7倍和2.2倍;FFJ和FFW处理的芦苇生物量、根冠比和平均叶面积都显著高于对照,而FF处理与对照没有显著差异;FF处理芦苇株高、生物量与土壤有效氮含量相关最为显著,FFJ和FFW处理与土壤有机质含量相关性最为显著。结果表明,废水灌溉为重度盐渍化土壤提供了充足的水分,有机物料能有效提高土壤养分含量,解决了重度盐碱化土壤水分胁迫和养分胁迫的问题,促进芦苇生长,但秸秆和污泥两种有机物料之间没有显著差异。     

Effect of humic acid multinutrient fertilizers on yield and nutrient use efficiency of potato

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of humic acid multinutrient fertilizers like Grow Flow 45H and HA-NPK complex on crop yield, nutrient content and uptake, and nutrient use efficiency of potato. Application of Grow Flow 45H (humic acid multinutrient liquid fertilizer) at recommended dose increased the tuber yield by 9.3% as compared to chemical fertilizer. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) content of the Grow Flow 45H treated plants were 2.89, 0.33 and 1.58% in shoots and 1.89, 0.21 and 1.03% in tubers, respectively which were significantly higher than the other treatments. Grow Flow 45H increased the N, P and K use efficiencies by 16.4%, 9.3% and 18.3% respectively over chemical fertilizer. Though HA-NPK complex fertilizer (developed in the laboratory) was not significantly different from chemical fertilizer in respect of yield, the contents and uptake, and use efficiencies of N, P and K; however the former was found better than the latter.     

不同供Zn量对三种小麦基因型幼苗生长和养分吸收的影响

采用溶液培养方法,研究了不同供Zn量(0、0.5、104、0.mg/L,分别用Zn0、Zn0.5、Zn10、Zn40表示)对三种亲缘关系很远的半冬性小麦基因型郑麦9023、陕512、西农979幼苗生长发育及Zn、Fe、Mn吸收的影响,以期为筛选耐高锌的小麦基因型提供理论依据。结果表明,不供Zn时小麦幼苗未出现缺Zn症状;Zn0.5对小麦的正常生长影响较小。三种基因型小麦的幼苗在过量供Zn(Zn10、Zn40)时均受到严重伤害:抑制小麦分蘖、根系及地上部生长,叶片叶绿素SPAD值显著降低,小麦植株尤其是根部的耐性指数降低;施入的Zn的转运率显著降低,却大大提高了小麦植株尤其是根部的Zn含量和吸收量,但Zn10时幼苗体内Zn含量和吸收量大于Zn40,且Zn10比Zn40更能在根部积累Zn。Zn与Fe的吸收在根部似乎表现为互助作用,而地上部表现为颉颃作用;Zn与Mn之间表现出强烈的颉颃作用。过量供Zn时以西农979耐性指数最大,Zn转运率最高,植株体内的Fe、Mn含量也高。总之,供Zn量为通常配方的51～0倍时对小麦幼苗的生长尚无明显影响;1002～00和4008～00倍时则能对小麦幼苗造成严重伤害,三种供试小麦基因型中以西农979对过量Zn毒害的耐性最强。     

Increasing saffron (Crocus sativus L.) corm size through the mycorrhizal inoculation,humic acid application and irrigation managements

Corm size is the most important factor in production of replacement corms and flower yield of saffron. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of nutrition and irrigation managements on saffron corms characteristics in the experimental field of Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran, in 2013–2015. The experiment was carried out as split-split plot based on a Randomized Complete Block Design with 18 treatments and three replications. Experimental factors were: 1- superabsorbent (SA) [application and no-application of superabsorbent (non-SA)], 2- irrigation intervals [irrigation every 2, 3 and 4 weeks] and 3- nutrition management [humic acid, mycorrhiza (Glomus intraradices) and control]. The results showed that the highest total weight of replacement corms per clone in sum of two years was obtained in non-SA application, two weeks irrigation intervals and humic acid treatment. The corm/tunic weight ratio decreased by increasing the irrigation intervals and this index in two weeks irrigation intervals was 31% more than four weeks irrigation intervals. Application of nutritional treatments increased the number of saffron replacement corms per clone in all of the weight categories (0-3, 3–6, 6–9 and more than 9 g) on averaged 5, 40, 36 and 25%, respectively compared with control treatment in both years. Results showed that the replacement corms yield in large weight groups was on average 34% higher in the second year than the first year. Finally, application of SA, organic and bio fertilizers and four weeks irrigation intervals improved most of criteria and yield of saffron replacement corms.     

Effect of seed phosphorus and soil phosphorus applications on early growth of rice (Oryza sativa L.) cv. IR66

Abstract

The vigour and size of rice seedlings in the nursery are generally correlated with final grain yield. The present study examined the possibility that increasing seed phosphorus (P) concentration would stimulate early growth of rice seedlings and therefore would have the potential to increase rice yield. Rice seeds with a uniform size and three levels of P concentration (0.115, 0.173, and 0.240% on a dry weight basis) were sown in pots on a P deficient soil with three levels of P supply (0, 7.75, and 38.8 mg P kg^?1 soil) to investigate their effect on root and shoot dry weight and P accumulation at three harvest times, 10, 20, and 30 d after sowing (DAS). The effect of seed P concentration on plant growth was greatest at a low soil P concentration and it was less pronounced with increasing soil P concentration and with time at all levels of soil P. At 10 DAS, shoot dry weight was 15% higher at a high seed P concentration (0.240%) (p < O.O1) than at a low seed P concentration (0.115%) at each level of soil P supply whereas at subsequent harvests (20 and 30 DAS) the effect of seed P concentration was observed only when the soil P supply was deficient. In contrast with its effects on shoot dry weight, high seed P concentration increased root dry weight only at the latest harvest (30 DAS). The fact that high seed P increased P concentrations in shoot tips, and in roots at 10 DAS suggests that improved P nutrition of seedlings in the first 10 DAS may be the mechanism by which high seed P concentration stimulates early growth, especially in soils with low P concentration. Sowing rice seed with high P concentration may be beneficial for increasing farmer's rice yields, in P deficient soil, and requires further field investigations.