Enhancement of germination characteristics of Oryza sativa var

ABSTRACT

The study looked into the efficacy of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in improving the germination characteristics of Oryza sativa var. Nerica in microgravity. The research was carried out at the University of Benin Space-Earth Environment Research Laboratory, which is run by the National Space Research and Development Agency Centre for Atmospheric Research (NASRDA). Raymos Guanah Farms Ltd. in Delta State provided rice seeds. The seeds were primed with SNP and IAA solutions, which were then divided into three concentrations: 100, 500, and 1000 mg/l. The primed rice seeds were then inoculated and mounted on the Clinostat at 2 rpm for 168h. Under microgravity, germination was found to be impaired.  When seedlings were exposed to 100ppm IAA, at least 10% germination was observed within the first 48 hours, and 100% germination was documented within the first 120h. When compared to seedlings treated with 100 ppm SNP, results showed a significantly improved germination response in microgravity, with 40% germination occurring within 48 hours and 100% germination occurring within the first 72h. Although microgravity caused an initial 83-hour delay in germination, this was reduced to less than 45h when seeds were pretreated with 100 ppm IAA and SNP. Regardless of the chemical agent used as a growth stimulating component, there was more variation with germination time than with apparent changes in results induced by treatment concentrations. Plant germination was increased when IAA and SNP were used. However, because chlorophyll is such an important component of plant productivity, the effect of treatments on chlorophyll concentration suggests that plant productivity will improve. The use of IAA and SNP in crop plants is a promising strategy for mitigating the negative effects of microgravity.