Effect of priming on the germination of rice seeds of different vigor

In order to investigate the effects of priming and aging (controlled deterioration) on germination and amylase activity in rice seeds, a factorial experiment was conducted based on completely randomized design with four replications and 12 treatments including aging (control, 87 and 77 % of control germination) and priming (control, hormone priming with gibberellin (GA3) and salicylic acid (SA) and hydro priming) at the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili in 2016. Results showed that the highest germination percentage (GP) and rate (GR), radicle and plumule length, radicle and plumule fresh and dry weight observed in priming with GA3 and non-aged seeds. GA3 increased GP about 17% in comparison to control (from 71.5 to 83.5%) and this increase for hydro and SA priming was about 9 %. Aging decreased the amylase activity, but priming types increased the activity of enzyme. From the results it is concluded that priming specially with GA3 is a proper method to decrease the germination time and increase the seed vigor of aged rice seeds.