In vitro Effect of Caesalpinia sappan and Crateva magna Extracts in Enhancing Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of KDML105 Rice Variety

Abstract

Background: Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a major cereal crops planted in Thailand for both local consumption and export. The objective of this study was to investigate the allelopathic effect of Caesalpinia sappan L. and Crateva magna (Lour.) DC. extracts in promoting a rice cultivar, Khao Dowk Mali 105 (KDML105) seed germination and seedling growth, at 7 and 14 days after sowing (DAS). Methods: The C. sappan and C. magna plants were cleaned with tap water and air dried in room temperature then cut into small pieces and ground into fine powder. Plant crude extracts was prepared using ethanol as solvent. Result: The results showed that rice seed treatment with C. sappan and C. magna extracts was significant (all p<0.05), increasing root length, shoot fresh and dry weight and root fresh and dry weight of rice seedlings at 14 DAS. Seed treatment with these two plant extracts led to a significantly greater vigor index of the KDML105 rice seedling cultivar, when compared with the control. Interestingly, the seed treatment with C. magna extract at a 100 ppm concentration was found to produce the highest enhancement in the overall rice seedling growth parameters, including the vigor index of seedlings. The results showed that a low concentration of C. magna extracts can be potentially used in promoting seedling growth of rice since they improved the overall growth parameters. © 2021. All Rights Reserved.