Seed priming to mitigate the impact of elevated carbon dioxide associated temperature stress on germination in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

ABSTRACT

Climate change has a negative impact on crop production by inducing several stresses throughout plant growth. As the germination is one of the critical stages, this study was to assess the impact of elevated carbon dioxide (eCO₂) and associated temperature stress on germination of rice. The study was conducted using the rice genotype CO 51 in artificially induced eCO₂ condition using open-top chamber (OTC). The efficiency of seed priming treatment with salicylic acid (SA), citric acid (CA), ascorbic acid (AsA) and distilled water (hydropriming) to alleviate stress due to eCO₂ and temperature were also studied. SA 25 mg l^?1 and AsA 100 mg l^?1 enhanced germination, other seed quality parameters along with α- amylase activity. Also, the activity of antioxidant enzymes like catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase was increased. These parameters positively affected the germination and growth by mitigating the effect of oxidative stress induced under eCO₂ conditions. So, SA, CA and AsA can be effectively used for maintaining seed quality parameters and seedling growth during the stresses.