Experiments were carried out to find out the optimum water potential, temperature, and duration for the priming of rice seeds, Oryza sativa L. (cv. Ilpumbyeo) for better germination at sub-optimal temperatures. Seeds were primed in 0, -0.2, -0.4, -0.6, -0.8, and -1.0 MPa PEG (polyethylene glycol) solutions at 25~circC . The optimum water potential for seed priming, the highest water potential at which rice seeds did not germinate, was -0.6 MPa. To find out optimum priming temperature and duration rice seeds were primed in -0.6 MPa PEG solution and 0 MPa (water as a control) for various durations at 15 and 25~circC and the seeds were germinated at 17, 20, and 25~circC . Considering germination rate and speed, the optimum priming time in water (0 MPa) was 4 days at 15~circC and 1 day at 25~circC , while 4 days was the optimum priming time in a -0.6 MPa PEG solution, regardless of the priming temperature. Priming reduced the actual time of germination, especially at sub-optimal temperatures. Priming did not affect germination rate in -0.6 MPa PEG solution at 15~circC , but overpriming reduced the final germination rate in water at 15~circC and in -0.6 PEG solution at 25~circC . Total sugars and α -amylase activity induced during the seed priming were negatively correlated with the final germination rate and there was no noted relationship with the speed or uniformity of germination.

• Suk Soon Lee
• Jae Hyeun Kim
• Seung Beom Hong
• Min Kyeong Kim
• Eui Ho Park