Iranian Journal of Seed Research

In order to study drought stress effect at the reproductive stage on seed germination characteristics of seven rice genotypes, an experiment was carried out at Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University in 2014. This study was conducted on drought-stressed seeds and seeds grown under normal conditions. The results of orthogonal mean comparison among non-stressed seeds showed that local genotypes had a lower germination index, germination rate, water percentage of seedling tissue, shoot length and root dry weight than the improved genotypes. Among stressed seeds, however, local genotypes had a higher germination index and germination rates than those of improved genotypes. Comparison of non-stressed seeds of susceptible and tolerant genotypes indicated that susceptible genotypes had a higher germination index, germination rate and germination percentage than tolerant genotypes. On the other hand, the comparison of the stressed seeds of susceptible and tolerant genotypes revealed that drought stress increased the time to 10, 50, 90 and 95% germination, water percentage of seedling tissue and plantlet length in susceptible genotypes, which were higher than those of tolerant genotypes. In conclusion, it seems that drought stress at reproductive stage has a significant effect on germination characteristics of the plant’s following generation. However, their responses are different, depending on the level tolerance of the genotype to stress and genetic origin.

Highlights: 
1-  Drought stress at reproductive stage has a significant effect on germination characteristics of the following generation of the rice plant.
2-  Among stressed seeds, local genotypes have a higher germination index and germination rates than those of the improved genotypes.
3-  Drought stress increases the time of germination in susceptible genotypes, which is higher than that in the tolerant genotypes.

Extended abstract
Introduction: Seed germination and emergence are the most sensitive stages of growth and development of rice plants. In this regard, the use of growth-promoting fungi in the form of seed biological pretreatment (bio-priming) for germination and optimal growth of seedlings can be feasible. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of isolated root symbiotic fungi on the improvement of germination and growth components of two traditional and bred rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars.
Materials and Methods: This experiment was done as a factorial-based completely randomized design with three replicates at Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University in the summer of 2021. Experimental treatments included 22 isolates of root symbiotic fungi (isolated and identified from previous experiments) and control (without inoculation) and two native (Hashemi) and bred (Roshan) rice cultivars. After the end of the germination period, the number of normal seedlings was counted and five normal seedlings were randomly selected to measure the length of the root, stem, and seedling as well as the fresh and dry weight of the root, stem, and seedling.
Results: Based on the results of cluster analysis the fungi were divided into four and three groups in Roshan and Hashemi cultivars, respectively. In both cultivars, group I was selected as the best group. In this group, the highest positive effect on vegetative traits varied from 5 to 59% compared to the control in fungal treatments was related to Bjerkandera adusta (ST1), Trichoderma atroviride (SF1), Monosporascus cannonballus (B3) and Trichoderma atroviride (SN1) in Roshan cultivar and Bjerkand adusta (ST1) in Hashemi cultivar. The best fungal treatments in germination traits of Roshan and Hashemi cultivars were Chaetomium globosum (SE2) and Bjerkandera adusta (ST1), respectively.
Conclusions: Overall, the results indicated the positive effect of most symbiotic fungi on the growth and germination characteristics of rice in both Roshan and Hashemi cultivars. These results show that symbiotic fungi use different mechanisms to increase growth and improve germination indicators in plants.

Highlights:
1- Growth-promoting fungi in the form of seed biological pretreatment were used (bio-priming) for optimal growth and germination and of rice seedlings.
2- The effect of native fungi isolated was investigated for the first time in two native (Hashemi) and bred (Roshan) rice cultivars.