Abstract
There is a dire need to explore the potential of seed priming in different aged rice nursery seedlings under system of rice
intensification. The field experiment was executed to evaluate the role of seed priming in improving the performance of
nursery seedlings for system of rice intensification during the 2
nd week of June, 2010 and 2011 at Agronomic Research Area,
University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. The experiment was laid out into randomized complete block design with
split split plot arrangement having three replications. The experimental treatments were comprised of two rice varieties
(Super Basmati and Shaheen Basmati), three seedling ages (2, 3 and 4 weeks old) and seed priming (non-primed seeds;
control and primed with 1.5% solution of CaCl2). The results showed that rice cultivars, seedling age and seed priming
significantly improved the leaf area index, crop growth rate, leaf area duration and net assimilation rate during both the years.
Two weeks old seedlings performed better than 3 and 4 weeks old seedling by improving tiller production, kernels per
panicle, 1000 grain weight, kernel yield, straw yield and harvest index. Two weeks old seedlings raised from seeds
osmoprimed with CaCl2 improved kernel quality and remained best by giving higher net benefits (Rs. 136124 & 144933) and
marginal rate of return (35 & 39) during the year 2010 and 2011.
