Boron application through seed coating improves the water relations, panicle fertility, kernel yield, and biofortification of fine grain aromatic rice

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of boron (B) application through seed coating on leaf elongation, tillering, water relations, panicle sterility, kernel yield, and grain biofortification of fine grain aromatic rice. Boron was applied as seed coating at 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 g B kg−1 seed in two rice cultivars Super Basmati and Shaheen Basmati. Boron seed coating significantly affected the leaf elongation, water relations, panicle fertility, kernel yield and grain biofortification in both rice cultivars. However, seed coating with 1.0–2.0 g B kg−1 seed was effective in improving the leaf emergence and elongation, and tillering. Whereas water relations (water and osmotic potential) were improved by all B seed coating treatments, but pressure potential was only improved from seed coating with 2.0–3.0 g B kg−1 seed. Kernel yield was improved by all B seed coating treatments; however seed coating with 2 g B kg−1 seed was the most effective treatment in this regard. Increase in kernel yield, by B seed coating, was attributed to decrease in panicle sterility. Leaf and kernel B contents were increased with increase in B concentration in seed coating.