Effect of different seed priming with symbiotic fungi, humic acid and zinc oxide on improving seedling traits of rice (Oryza sativa L.) at early growth stages

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Agronomy, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Iran.

2 Department of Agronomy-Crop Sciences Faculty-Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University

3 Genetics and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute of Tabarestan, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University

4 Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Crop Sciences, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Iran.

5 University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy

10.22124/jms.2025.9411

Abstract

Weak seed vigor, root damage during transplanting, and high sensitivity to environmental stresses are among the most critical constraints in the initial establishment of rice. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different seed priming treatments on improving seedling traits of rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. 'Hashemi') at Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, using a completely randomized design with three replications. The priming treatments consisted of 16 levels: a control, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO), symbiotic fungi (Trichoderma longibrachiatum [FTL] and T. atroviride [FTA]), humic acid (HA), as well as dual, triple, and quadruple combinations of these agents. The fungi were cultured in a liquid potato dextrose broth (PDB) medium. After two weeks, when vegetative growth peaked, a suspension with a concentration of 10⁸ colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL) was prepared. Concentrations of 100 ppm were used for both HA and ZnO. Seedlings were sampled at 5, 15, 25, and 35 days after sowing (DAS). Measured morphological traits included root and shoot length (RL and SL), root-to-shoot length ratio (R:S), root and shoot dry weight (RDW and SDW), root-to-shoot dry weight ratio (RDW:SDW), and total dry weight (TDW). Results indicated that among the different priming treatments, ZnO application had the most significant effect on RDW and TDW, which increased by 23.50% and 28.55%, respectively, compared to the control. The combined treatment of ZnO+FTL+FTA+HA yielded the highest SDW (81 mg per plant), representing an increase of approximately 39% over the control. Integrated priming methods, particularly those containing ZnO, significantly enhanced RL (by approximately 2–7.5%) and SDW (by approximately 7–39%). In conclusion, the findings demonstrate the positive impact of combining symbiotic fungi, HA, and ZnO, suggesting this as an effective strategy for improving rice growth and establishment during the early growth stages.

Keywords

References

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Iranian Journal of Seed Sciences and Research
Volume 12, Issue 3
October 2025
Pages 1-17

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