Treatment with nitric oxide and seed coat removal improve germination and growth of rubber (<i>Hevea brasiliensis</i>)

Abstract

Studies were carried out on the effect of seed coat removal and nitric oxide (NO) donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) treatment on germination and growth of seedling and budded plants of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis). Interaction effects were observed between seed coat treatment and SNP treatments for germination time and percentage germination. Decoated seeds germinated earlier and improved synchronicity than intact seeds (with seed coat) and achieved 50% germination within nine days. SNP treatment at all four concentrations (20, 50, 100 and 200 µM) hastened the germination and increased the percentage germination especially when decoated seeds were used. Shoot and root attributes of seedlings (stock plants) derived from the seeds treated with SNP, especially at 50-100 µM, were significantly improved as compared to those from control and mock treated seeds. Growth of the budded plants were better when stock plants derived from SNP treated seeds were used. Therefore, NO treatment coupled with decoating could effectively be utilized to improve the germination and growth of seedling and budded plants of rubber. To our knowledge, this is the first report on redox priming of rubber seeds with SNP.

Germination and Growth Characteristics of Quercus myrsinifolia Blume Seedlings According to Seed Coat Removal, Type of Potting Soil and Irrigation Cycle

“…In this study, the root collar diameter, root diameter, stem length, root length, growth, and the number of leaves were increased when the Q. myrsinifolia seed coat was removed and seeded. Nayanakantha et al [26] reported that rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) seeds were removed from the seed coat and treated with nitric oxide to promote seedlings' germination rate and growth. In addition, it has been reported that the removal of the citrus seed coat promoted the germination rate and the growth of stock 25% more than the intact seed, along with the root induction and root growth [25].…”

Seed Collection Time Effect on the Germination Rate and Growth of Rubber Tree Rootstock

“…The germination rate is one of the important parameters in the rootstock nursery as it determines the number of seedlings and eventually the number of planting material. Some factors influence the germination rate including seed quality [5], storage [6], and treatment before seeding [7]. However, the studies used rubber seeds collected from the field that might have laid on the ground for a varied time after dehisced.…”