Biopriming of rice seed with phosphobacteria for enhanced germination and vigour

Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) are able to convert insoluble forms of phosphorus to an accessible form. An investigation was carried out with MDU 6 rice seeds were bioprimed with Phosphobacteria (Concentration: 10, 15 and 20%; Duration: 6, 12, 18 and 24 h). The seeds were also hydroprimed for 6, 12, 18 and 24 h. The nonprimed seeds served as control. Biopriming with Phosphobacteria (20% concentration for 12 h) expressed high values for all the parameters studied namely speed of germination, germination (%), root length (cm), shoot length (cm), dry matter production (g/5 seedlings) and vigour index which accounted for 26, 15, 13, 15, 16 and 27% increase over nonprimed seed.