Abstract
Rice (Oryza sativa L.), a vital cereal and staple food crop in South East Asia. It faces significant challenges in cultivation worldwide, due to soil salinity. Seed enhancement techniques like priming have shown resilience against salt stress. In this study, the potential of nano-priming with calcium oxide nanoparticles (CaO NPs) to enhance rice seed germination and growth was investigated. CaO NPs were synthesized from organic waste (eggshells) using a sol-gel technique and characterized using Raman and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Paddy seeds were primed with varying concentrations of CaO NPs, and their germination and seedling growth were assessed. The results showed that nano-priming with 40 ppm of CaO NPs significantly improved germination, root and shoot length, dry matter production, and seedling vigour as compared to the control. However, higher concentrations of CaO NPs had a detrimental effect on germination. The study suggests that CaO NP seed priming has the potential to enhance rice germination and seedling development.
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