ROLE OF BORON IN LEAF ELONGATION AND TILLERING DYNAMICS IN FINE-GRAIN AROMATIC RICE

This study was conducted to explore the role of boron (B) in seedling emergence, leaf elongation, and tillering dynamics. Boron was applied as seed priming. For priming seeds of two rice cultivars (Super Basmati and Shaheen Basmati) were soaked in B solutions having 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 and 0.5% concentrations. Substantial improvement in seedling emergence was observed from hydropriming and seed priming in 0.001 and 0.01% solutions; beyond this B concentration, emergence potential was suppressed. Seeds primed in 0.5% B solution even did not emerge. A linear increase in plant height was recorded up to 30 days from seeds primed in 0.001% solution. Similarly rate of leaf emergence and elongation and rate of tiller appearance were substantially improved in seedlings raised from seeds primed in 0.001% B solution. Overall B plays a significant role in leaf appearance, elongation and tillering dynamics of rice when used in very low concentration.