Seed Treatment with Iron Chlorine E6 Enhances Germination and Seedling Growth of Rice

Iron chlorine e6 (ICE6), also known as iron dihydroporphine, is a new type natural plant growth regulator, which can improve some crops growth. At present, the effects of ICE6 on rice are still unclear. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the effect of ICE6 on rice growth. In this study, the effect of seed treatment with ICE6 on rice germination and seedling growth was evaluated. Rice seeds were soaked with the gradient concentration and gradient time of ICE6, respectively, and then the germination rate, growth indexes and chlorophyll content of rice were determined. The results showed seed soaking with ICE6 could improve rice seed germination, promote seedling growth and increase the chlorophyll content in plants, exhibiting a better growth promoting effect. The optimum soaking condition was 100–200 mg/L (concentration) and 24–48 h (time). The field experiment further verified the growth regulating effect of ICE6 priming on rice seedlings. After seed priming with ICE6, seed vigor became higher, and the activities of α-amylase and protease in germinating seeds increased. The increase of seed vigor might be an important reason that ICE6 improved the germination and seedling growth. In addition, we also found ICE6 treatment could enhance the regeneration ability of seedlings. This work demonstrated the germination and growth promoting effect of ICE6 on rice, and revealed its application potential in rice production. This seed priming technique was of great promotional value in the field.