Seed Priming and Foliar Application with Nitrogen and Zinc Improve Seedling Growth, Yield, and Zinc Accumulation in Rice

Abstract

Improving grain yield and zinc (Zn) concentration yields a double benefit for farmers and consumers, especially when accomplished through the common practice of nitrogen (N) and Zn application. The objective of this study was to evaluate responses of a modern improved rice variety (SPT1) to Zn and N fertilizer management of seed germination, seedling growth, yield, and grain Zn accumulation. A preliminary laboratory study was conducted by priming seeds with variation of N and Zn solutions, consisting of (1) 0% urea + 0% ZnSO4 (N0Zn0), (2) 0% urea + 0.07% ZnSO4 (N0Zn+), (3) 0.05% urea + 0.07% ZnSO4 (N0.05Zn+), (4) 0.10% urea + 0.07% ZnSO4 (N0.10Zn+), (5) 0.15% urea + 0.07% ZnSO4 (N0.15Zn+), (6) 0.20% urea + 0.07% ZnSO4 (N0.20Zn+), and (7) 0.25% urea + 0.07% ZnSO4 (N0.25Zn+). Priming seeds with N0.15Zn+ led to a higher germination rate and growth performance. Seedling Zn concentration increased linearly along with the dry weights of root and coleoptile during germination. A second experiment in the field included priming the seed with (1) 0% urea + 0% ZnSO4 (N0Zn0), (2) 0.15% urea + 0% ZnSO4 (N+Zn0), (3) 0% urea + 0.07% ZnSO4 (N0Zn+), and (4) 0.15% urea + 0.07% ZnSO4 (N+Zn+); this experiment showed that simultaneous priming of seeds with 0.15% urea and 0.07% ZnSO4 (N+Zn+) resulted in the highest coleoptile length and seedling dry weight. The highest seedling Zn concentration was observed when priming seeds with N0Zn+ followed by N+Zn+, but the effect disappeared at the later growth stages. A third experiment in the field was conducted by foliar application with four different treatments of (1) 0% urea + 0% ZnSO4 (N0Zn0), (2) 1% urea + 0.5% ZnSO4 (N+Zn0), (3) 0% urea + 0.5% ZnSO4 (N0Zn+), and (4) 1% urea + 0.5% ZnSO4 (N+Zn+). The highest grain yield increases were achieved by foliar application of N+Zn0 (28.5%) and foliar application of N+Zn+ (32.5%), as compared with the control (N0Zn0). Grain Zn concentration was the highest under foliar application of N+Zn+, with a 37.9% increase compared with N0Zn0. This study confirmed that seedling growth performance can be enhanced by initially priming seeds with N and Zn solution, while grain yield and Zn concentration can be improved by foliar application of N and Zn fertilizer. The information would be useful for the appropriate combined application of Zn and N fertilizers in the practical field to improve grain yield and Zn accumulation as well as Zn nutrition among humans with rice-based diets. The result should be extended to a wider range of rice varieties under suitable management of N and Zn fertilizer.

Effect of Spraying Some Bio-and Nano-Stimulants Fortified with Potassium on the Growth and Yield of Rice

“…Also, the important role that iron and zinc play in increasing the biological activities in the plant that lead to the biological yield [25]. It is consistent with what was stated [26] when spraying zinc and nitrogen on rice plants.It may be due to the effect of nitrogen contained within the components of stimulant, which is one of the most important elements in the growth of different crops, including grain crops and their production. There is an agreed fact that nitrogen occupies the forefront among the nutrients added to the soil.…”

Seed pre-sowing treatments and essential trace elements application effects on wheat performance

“…This enzyme play a critical role in plant growth, development, adaptation with anaerobic soil conditions. Therefore, Zn deficiency reduces anaerobic root metabolism and seedlings' capacity under restriction of oxygen in the soil (Tuiwong et al, 2022). However, our finding revealed that utilization of Zn fertilizers alone is not be sufficient for increasing wheat performance in semi-arid region, so that the application of suitable seed priming and micronutrient nano-fertilizer application had the best effect on both vegetative growth and seed yield.…”

Effect of Seed Priming on Germination, Seedling Emergence and Development of Spring Rice Var. Hardinath-1

“…Choudhary et al (2021) reported that seed priming with Mg(NO3)2 and ZnSO4 improved growth attributes under field conditions, consistent with our results. Tuiwong et al (2022) confirmed that priming seeds with N and Zn solutions before planting could improve seedling growth performance. Singhal and Bose (2021) found that seed priming with a combination of Mg(NO3)2 and ZnSO4 salt was superior to single salt and non-priming treatments for improving wheat crop qualities under drought stress.…”