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Ankuri Technology for Seed Germination and Seedling Emergence of Rice in Cold Environment

Tahmid Hossain Ansari
Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Regional Station, Rajshahi

Montasir Ahmed
Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Regional Station, Rajshahi

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Rice seed germination as well as seedling emergence in cold environment is a challenge for successful rice cultivation during dry (Boro) season in northern Bangladesh Experiments were conducted in two consecutive Boro seasons in Rajshahi to develop techniques for improving germination and seedling emergence under cold conditions.. Seeds of rice var. BRRI dhan29 and BRRI dhan50 were germinated following the traditional “Zag-method” and separately in a frame covered with air tight heat insulating plastic tripal (called Ankuri- germinator). Then vapor therapy was given inside Ankuri and maintained 25- 35⁰C with high humidity. External and internal temperatures of Ankuri were recorded. Seed germination was checked at 12 h interval. In another experiment, germinated seeds of BRRI dhan29 were sown on soil in trays followed by light irrigation. One set of trays was placed in Ankuri. Another two sets of trays were placed in the field with polythene covered and uncovered. Similar experiment using non-germinated dry seed was also conducted. Vapor therapy was applied in Ankuri only in and trays were checked regularly to observe the plumule and radicle growth. The germination rate (%) of the tested varieties in Ankuri ranged from 82-96% which was 64- 92% in Zag-method. High variation of germination in Zag-method was due to improper temperature and humidity during the Zag period. Seed germination was faster in Ankuri which was observed within 2.5 days. This was also 2.5 days earlier in comparison with the Zag-method. Soaking period ranged 22-24 h outside in cold water/weather. But 18 h soaking in Ankuri resulted good germination. Irrespective of varieties, the growth was 5.4 and 1.7 times more respectively for plumule and radicle in Ankuri than Zag-method. Seedling emergence was 2-3 days earlier in both dry and soaked/germinated seeds sown in trays of Ankuri than the outside polythene covered trays. Seedling emergence failed in open-trays. Average air temperature from 18:00-9:00 was cooler (15⁰C) than 9:00-18:00 period (15⁰C). Ankuri maintained 25-35⁰C and high humidity which favored seed germination and seedling growth. Therefore, Ankuri could be an effective seed germination technique with faster germination, radicle and plumule growth.

Keywords: Ankuri germination, Rice seed germination, Seedling emergence, Tray seedling, Zag- method

Location: Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), Regional Station, Rajshahi

Start Date: 00-00-2012

End Date: 00-04-2014

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Rice

Objectives:

To develop a germination technique for better rice seed germination as well as seedling emergence in tray during cold period.

Methodology:

The experiments were conducted at Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), Regional Station, Rajshahi during the dry (Boro) seasons 2012-13 and 2013-14. A seed germination chamber was developed where rice var. BRRI dhan29 and BRRI dhan50 seeds were tested for germination in both the years. Further, seedling emergence in trays was also tried in the second season only.

Development of germination chamber

In the first season, a germination chamber was developed using angle-bar, screw, plastic tripal, foam and electric appliances like electric ware, plug etc. in such a way that seed can be germinated and seedlings in trays can be raised through vapor therapy with controlled temperature and high humidity. The hypothesis was that the seed germination and raising seedlings could be possible through continuous supply of vapor therapy inside the chamber maintaining proper temperature and humidity.

Investigation on seed germination

After the development of the seed germination chamber called “Ankuri”, the performance of Ankuri for seed germination was tested in two consecutive seasons. Seeds were soaked for 22-24 h in first season and 18 h in second season. Then the seeds were divided into two parta and kept in the moist cloth bag separately and rapped with moist sac. One part was preserved following the Zag-method and another part in the Ankuri. Then vapor therapy was given to boost up the temperature and humidity inside Ankuri in such a way that the temperature could be maintained 25- 35⁰C with high humidity. Temperature of both outside and inside Ankuri was recorded at three h interval starting from 6 h to 21/24 h. Germinating seed samples were checked at 24 h interval for 2 days and then 12 h interval until the sprouting observed. Seed sampling was done from each replicated samples of RCB design keeping consideration of both inner and outer side effect of the seed bag. The germinated and non germinated seeds were counted and percent germination was calculated. The length of plumule and radicle was also measured from randomly selected 10 seedlings in each replication.

The germination percentage was calculated using the formula-

Germination (%)= (Number of seed germinated/Total number seeds tested) × 100

Seedling vigor index= (average of plumule length + average of radicle length) ×

germination percentage.

Raising seedling in trays

Ankuri germinated seeds were shown on the pulverized soil in trays following tray seeding method. The seeds were sown in the trays at 120 g per tray for BRRI dhan29. Fifteen trays were prepared and soaked by sprinkler. One set of three trays covered with polythene was kept outside (open field) and another set of three trays was kept open at field adjacent to the polythene covered trays. Moreover, nine trays were kept in the Ankuri where vapor therapy was given in such a way that the temperature could be maintained 25-35⁰C with high humidity. The trays were checked every 12 h interval to observe the seedling emergence. The trays were taken out from Ankuri and kept outside with polythene cover when the sprouted young seedling was attained 2-3 mm in length.

Statistical analysis

All the collected data were analyzed by using CROPSTAT package developed by IRRI.

Source of Information: Bangladesh Agron. J. 2016, 19(2): 115-123

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The experiments clearly demonstrated the efficacy of Ankuri in rice seed germination as well as the weakness of the traditional Zag-method. Therefore, Ankuri could be an effective germination technique which influenced faster germination and higher plumule as well as radicle growth. It can also be used for raising seedling in trays as well. Commercial exploitation and adoption of this technology at farmers’ level could minimize seed loss ensuring germination and economic benefit.

Knowledge Management: Journal