Chapter 5

Summary
Ecological factors such as temperature, light, pH, salinity and water potential plays an
important role in the germination of seeds. The present study was designed to estimate the
effect of these factors on the germination behavior of cultivated rice and red rice during the
year 2017, in the Weed Science Laboratory, Department of Agronomy, University of
Agriculture, Faisalabad. There were included following treatments in the study; temperature
had the six levels 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45℃ levels, light had the two levels covered and
uncovered, salinity had six levels control (0), 25, 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 mM levels, water
potential had five levels (0), -0.2, -0.4, -0.6 and -0.8 MPa levels, pH had six levels 4, 5, 6, 7,
8, 9 and sowing depth had five levels 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 cm. The experiment were laid out in
completely randomized design with three replications. Petri dishes were used for all the
treatments except seeding depth where plastic pots were used and seeds were sown in varying
depth in sand mixture. The solutions of desired concentrations were made in case of salinity,
water potential and pH while Aluminum foil was used to cover the petri dishes in case of light
inhibiting treatment. Observations recorded were time to start germination (TSG), total
germination (TG), mean germination time (MGT), germination index (GI) and time to 50 %
germination (T50). The data were analyzed by using Fisher’s analysis of variance technique
and treatment means were compared by using post-ANOVA honest significance difference test
at 5 % probability level. Results are summarized below:

Temperature

Time to start germination was found significant in case of both cultivated and red rice.
Minimum time to start germination was recorded at 35℃ while going below upto 25℃ or
going above upto 45℃ the time to start germination increases gradually. The same behavior
was seen in both cultivated and red rice. Total germination was found maximum at 35℃ for
both rice type while gradually reducing germination percentage on the extremes. Mean
germination time was also minimum at 35℃ while no germination was recorded at 45℃.
Light

In the light stress by covered treatment more time to germination was taken in both cultivated
and red rice type. Total germination percentage for cultivated rice was 93.33% when uncovered
compared with 86.65% when covered. Germination index was fairly high with 6.6833
compared to covered treatment in cultivated rice. But in red rice germination index difference
was not as much as in cultivated rice which shows that red rice is more robust.

Salinity Stress

Time to start germination was less with less salinity level i.e., control. Maximum time
to germination was taken at highest salinity level T7=150 mM with value of 3.66 and 3.33 for
cultivated and red rice respectively. Similarly total germination percentage and germination
index was found high with less salinity level. But when salinity level increased germination
percentage and germination index was decreased due to salt stress. In the same fashion time to
50% germination was less with less salinity and more time taken as the salinity level increased.

pH stress

Minimum time to germination was seen with neutral pH 7 or at pH 6 while going to

extremes either towards acidity or alkalinity it increased the time to start germination. Total
germination was high at neutral pH 7 and pH 6 while lowest germination percentage was seen
at extremes. Mean germination time was less at pH 7 for both cultivated and red rice while
same is high at extremes. It can be seen from the data that at lowest pH 4 the cultivated rice
germinate less vigorously than the red rice.

Water Potential

Time to start germination was increased with lowering water potential even at -0.6 MPa
it is highest 4.33 and 3.66 for cultivated and red rice respectively. Lowest time to germination
was recorded in the control at highest water potential. T50 and TSG increases with lowering
water potential. Total germination percentage is maximum at control with highest water
potential. It was seen that at -0.8 MPa there were no germination found. Mean germination
time was maximum at -0.6 MPa and lowest at control. Germination index and germination
percentage was found maximum at highest water potential i.e. control while lowering the water
potential decreased the germination index and germination percentage.

Sowing Depth
Time to start germination was less with suitable sowing depth. At too much depth i.e.
8cm maximum time to germination was taken with 11.33 and 9.33 respectively for cultivated
rice and red rice. Suitable sowing depth was recorded 4cm with TSG value 4 for both cultivated
and red rice. Similarly less mean germination time and T50 was recorded less at suitable
sowing depth i.e. 4. For total germination percentage and germination index same was
observed that at suitable sowing depth (4cm) maximum TG and GI was recorded. At too much
depth less germination percentage and germination index was recorded. It can be concluded
that for better germination it is crucial that proper sowing depth should be used.

Conclusion
It can be concluded from the study that all ecological factors (temperature, light,
salinity, water potential, sowing depth) all had measurable impact on seed germination of both
cultivated and red rice. It is also concluded that for temperature and water stress red rice is
more resilient to bear up the stress in comparison with cultivated rice. pH level is also important
as we are near to neutral pH more germination percentage can be achieved and less time to
germinate the seed.