Integration of pre-sowing soaking, chilling and heating treatments for vigour enhancement in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

A study was conducted to evaluate the possibility of integration of different pre-sowing seed treatments (viz. soaking, chilling and heating). Soaking was successfully integrated with heating in fine rice as indicated by lower values of time to start germination, time to 50% germination, mean germination time and mean emergence time and higher values of final germination percentage, germination index, energy of germination, root and shoot length and seedling fresh and dry weight compared with all other treatments including control. Soaking and chilling combination performed better than other treatments including control in coarse rice.