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Summary Measurement of oxygen uptake by germinating rice seed (Oryza sativa L) suggests that oxygen requirement is independent of temperature of incubation. However, the rate of oxygen consumption is dependent upon incubation temperature and, after an initial lag phase, is exponential with time.Although rice seed can germinate and grow at low oxygen concentrations, germination is poor and seedlings exhibit low vigour. An oxidized zone may be observed around the seed when sown in an anoxic environment but coated with a layer of calcium peroxide. The seed germinates readily and develops normally when a sufficient level of calcium peroxide is used.

Redox and chemical analysis techniques have measured the decomposition of calcium peroxide-coated rice seed (Oryza sativa L.) under flooded padi conditions. Decomposition rates, even in acid soils at high temperatures, are slow enough to extend over the oxygen demand period of the germinating seed.Rice seeds coated with calcium peroxide are relatively stable and viable over a wide range of storage conditions. Magnesium peroxide coatings decompose at approximately half the rate of calcium peroxide coatings. Differences in alkalinity, cation and oxygen release rate make magnesium peroxide a useful alternative system to calcium peroxide.