The development of effective, affordable, and ecologically friendly methods to increase seed vigour is crucial because seed resilience and performance are fundamental to sustainable agriculture. In order to enhance the physiological and biochemical characteristics of seeds, a promising pre-sowing method known as “seed priming” entails subjecting them to particular organic or inorganic compounds under carefully monitored circumstances. Nutri-priming is the process of soaking seeds in a nutrient solution to improve their growth and stress tolerance. It combines seed priming with the application of macro and micronutrients, resulting in increased nutrient content in the final crop, improved seedling vigour, and faster and more uniform germination. This approach, which has been successfully used in cereal crops to lessen the negative effects of environmental stressors, is both economical and environmentally friendly, making it a valuable strategy for increasing agricultural productivity. In light of the aforementioned, the current study used standardised physiological and germination metrics to assess the impact of nutri-priming on early seedling vigour and germination dynamics in rice. From banana stems, the various priming treatments were extracted. The extracted materials were prepared in various concentrations using the following methods: 0.25 mL (T₁), 0.50 mL (T₂), 1.00 mL (T₃), 2.00 mL (T₄), 3.00 mL (T₅), and 4.00 mL (T₆), diluted in 15 mL distilled water; for the control (T₀) only 15 mL distilled water was used. In rice, 1.00 mL (T₃) was the ideal concentration for enhancing germination behaviour, early seedling vigour, and a shorter mean germination time. So, 1.00 mL banana stem extracted nurti-priming increases biomass accumulation, maximises metabolic activation, and encourages elongation growth without causing toxic or osmotic stress.

Nutri-priming, rice, germination energy, germination index, vigour

Uniform and rapid seedling establishment is the backbone for achieving optimal crop yield, as early vigor strongly ensures competitive ability, resource acquisition, and stand uniformity. Poor and erratic emergences concomitated with low-vigor seedlings exacerbate irregular canopy growth, induce weed proliferations (Farooq et al., 2019), and subsequent yield penalties. Seed priming is a robust pre-sowing strategy that fosters germination uniformity, seedling vigor, and early plant establishment through the regulation of pre-germinative metabolic activity without permitting radicle protrusions (Samanta et al., 2025; Singh et al., 2015). Within this framework, nutrient-based seed priming (nutri-priming) provides an additional functional advantage as it supplements macro- or micronutrients during imbibition to bolster cellular metabolism, enzyme activation, and antioxidative regulation. These mechanisms collectively enhance germination energy, shorten mean germination time (MGT), enhance root–shoot growth, and improve vigour indices—attributes essential for strong crop establishment (Nciizah et al., 2020). This approach is particularly relevant where early nutrient limitations often delay fifty percent germination (T50), stunt root development, and suppresses early growth (Choudhury and Bordolui 2022a).

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) remains to be the most significant cereal in the world, accounting for more than 20% of the world’s total caloric intake and being the major staple in Asia, Africa, and Latin America (FAO, 2025). Despite the importance, rice frequently suffer from poor field emergence, especially under suboptimal moisture, marginal soils, and nutrient-deficient conditions—constraints that directly impede germination potential and compromise early seedling vigour (Bordolui et al., 2018). Understanding how nutri-priming modifies different parameters can offer deep insight into its physiological modes of action and identifying scalable, crop-appropriate priming formulations. For instance, changes in MGT and T50 reflect alterations in the speed and synchronicity of germination; increases in vigor indices indicate enhanced early growth potential; and alterations in root-to-shoot ratio may reflect shifts in resource allocation induced by priming.

Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the influence of nutri-priming on germination dynamics and early seedling vigour in rice using a standardized physiological and germination metrics. By juxtaposing responses in rice, this study seeks to identify the concentration of nutri-priming that capable of influencing germination dynamics, seedling vigour, and strengthen early establishment thereby offering practical insights for scalable production enhancement strategies. 

Rice seeds (variety Bidhan Suruchi) were collected from the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, BCKV. Seeds were surface sterilized with 0.2% mercuric chloride solution for 2 to 3 minutes, followed by thorough rinsing with deionized water. Nutri-priming materials were extracted from banana stems by digestion. The different concentrations were prepared using the following methods: 0.25 mL (T1), 0.50 mL (T2), 1.00 mL (T3), 2.00 mL (T4), 3.00 mL (T5), and 4.00 mL (T6), of extracted materials diluted in 15 mL of distilled water, while 15 millilitres of distilled water were used for the control (no extracted material was used for T0). Seeds were soaked in different concentrations of priming material for eight hours in order to prime them. To evaluate the germination-related parameters and seedling vigour, primed seeds were shade-dried to their initial moisture content and then put in petri dishes and roll towels. All tests were conducted under a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications in the Seed Science and Technology Laboratory, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya.

Enumeration of Germination metrices

Germination parameters, including germination potential (GP), time to 50% germination (T50), germination energy (GE), germination index (GI), and mean germination time (MGT), were calculated using standard equations (Table 1).

Table 1: Equations used to determine selected germination matrices.

Seedling Parameters

Root and shoot lengths of ten randomly selected seedlings were measured on the 14th day after test initiation using a ruler and graph paper. The average values were used to calculate the root-to-shoot ratio. Seedling length (cm) was obtained by summing root and shoot lengths.

Fresh and dry weights of seedlings were measured using a digital balance. For dry weight determination, seedlings were oven-dried at 110 ± 20C for 24 hours. Both fresh and dry weights were expressed as mg seedling-1.

Seedling vigor indices were computed according to Abdul-Baki and Anderson (1973):

SVI-I = Germination (%) × Average seedling length (cm)

SVI-II = Germination (%) × Average seedling dry weight (mg)

The impact of various treatment concentrations on germination metrics shows distinct variations in seed performance. Overall, the data demonstrate that while excessively high concentrations (T6: 4.00 mL) adversely affected certain parameters, moderate concentrations (especially T3: 1.00 mL) significantly improved seed germination characteristics when compared to the control.

Germination Potential:

The germination potential varied from 95.15% (T0) to 99.17% (T3). The highest values were recorded by T3 and T4, both of which were statistically better than the other treatments. This suggests that concentrations between 1.00 and 2.00 mL maximise the early germination response. Though not to the same degree, lower concentrations (T1 and T2) also increased germination potential in comparison to the control. The decline in T6 indicates that higher doses may begin to exert inhibitory or stressful effects on seeds (Fig. 1). According to Chakraborty and Bordolui (2021), priming green gram with GA3 and Ag-Nanoparticles increases the germination rate. Ray et al. (2023) reported a similar outcome in tomatoes.

Time to 50% Germination (T₅₀):

Up to T3, T50 exhibited a declining trend; at higher concentrations, it slightly increased (Fig. 1). T3 showed the fastest germination (1.74 days), suggesting early emergence and increased vigour. Germination was delayed by treatments exceeding 1.00 mL, especially T6 at 3.26 days, suggesting potential concentration-dependent inhibitory effects. Higher concentrations may slow down germination, as demonstrated by T6's slowest germination time. Choudhury et al. (2023) discovered that PEG 6000 priming decreases chickpea time of 50% germination.

Fig. 1. Effect of Nutri-priming on (a) Germination (%), (b) Time to 50% germination (days), (c) Germination energy (%), (d) Germination index, (e) Mean Germination Time (days) in Rice (Oryza sativa L., cv. Bidhan Suruchi).

Germination Energy

The application of treatment resulted in a significant increase in germination energy (Fig. 1). The highest values (79.00–79.22%) were obtained by T3 and T4, indicating higher early seed vigour. While intermediate treatments (T1, T2, T5, and T6) produced moderate improvements, the control group had the lowest energy (74.67%). Once more, T3 is clearly the best course of action. Similar findings were reported in rice by Dandapat and Bordolui (2025).

Germination Index

The pattern of the germination index was comparable to that of other vigour characteristics. The highest germination index values were recorded in T3 (35.29) and T4 (34.82), confirming improved speed and uniformity of germination (Fig. 1). Reduced vigour at high concentrations is suggested by T6's lower germination index (28.41). The control had the lowest germination index, indicating that treatments improved germination performance. Choudhury et al. (2023) reported similar results in chickpea. 

Mean Germination Time (MGT)

A lower mean germination time denotes more rapid and consistent germination. Mean germination time was lowest in T3 (3.05 days), followed by T4 (3.23 days). Slower germination was confirmed by higher mean germination time values in T6 (4.11 days) and the control (3.94 days). MGT was moderately reduced by treatments T1, T2, and T5 (Fig. 1). For rice, Dandapat and Bordolui (2025) reported similar findings.

Root to Shoot Length Ratio

The root-to-shoot ratio varied between 1.16 and 1.71 (Fig. 2). The highest ratio was recorded in T4 (2.00 mL/15 mL), closely followed by T3 (1.57). T0, T1, T5, and T6 showed statistically similar but significantly lower ratios. In T3 and T4, a higher root-to-shoot ratio indicates improved root development in relation to shoot length, suggesting better adaptation for nutrient and water uptake during early seedling establishment.

Seedling Length

Priming resulted in a significant increase in seedling length, which ranged from 19.35 cm (T0) to 28.86 cm (T3). The tallest seedlings were produced by T3 and T4 (27.40 cm), both of which were significantly better than all other treatments. Higher concentrations (T5 and T6) resulted in shorter seedlings, suggesting that high priming doses may inhibit elongation. Thus, by encouraging elongation growth, optimal priming (1.00–2.00 mL) successfully increased early seedling vigour (Fig. 2). Choudhury and Bordolui (2022b) found comparable outcomes in Bengal gram using Potassium Nitrate priming to lengthen shoots.

Seedling Fresh Weight

The fresh weight of average seedling ranged from 36.34 mg to 39.17 mg. The highest fresh weight was recorded by T3, closely followed by T2 and T4. The lowest values were found in T0 and T6, suggesting either excessive concentration or limited biomass accumulation without priming. Improved metabolic activity and water absorption efficiency during germination are reflected in increased fresh weight in moderately primed seeds (Fig. 2). Similar results were found in tomato by Ray and Bordolui (2022a).

Seedling Dry Weight

Seed priming significantly improved the dry weight of average seedlings, which ranged from 6.10 mg to 7.55 mg. Both statistically superior treatments, T4 (7.55 mg) and T3 (7.47 mg), had the highest dry weights. Reduced reserve mobilisation or poor growth under unfavourable circumstances are suggested by lower dry weight in T6 and T0. Increased conversion of seed reserves into structural biomass is indicated by higher dry matter accumulation in optimally primed seeds (Fig. 2). In carrots, Kundu and Bordolui (2025) discovered a comparable outcome following osmo-priming. 

Vigour Index I

The strongest reaction to priming was seen in Vigour Index I (Fig. 2). The values varied between 1841.29 (T0) and 2862.15 (T3). T3 showed the most vigour, followed by T4, suggesting better growth and establishment potential. Significant decreases were observed at higher concentrations (T5 and T6), almost reaching control levels. Vigour index-I makes it abundantly evident that a priming solution of 1.00 to 2.00 mL produces better early vigour. Chakraborty et al. (2020); Ray and Bordolui (2022b) reported similar results.

Vigour Index II

Vigour Index II increased significantly with priming, much like Vigour Index I. The highest value was obtained in T4 (747.69), statistically comparable to T3 (740.87). The control (595.51) and T6 (585.64) had the lowest values. This demonstrates that moderate priming produces stronger, heavier seedlings in addition to improving germination (Fig. 2). In contrast to other treatments, Chakraborty and Bordolui (2021) discovered that Ag nano priming raised the fresh weight of green gram seedlings. In the case of carrots, Kundu and Bordolui (2023) observed similar results.

All the parameters were further supported by the correlogram (Fig. 3), which showed strong positive correlations (r>0.75) between germination potential, germination energy, germination, root to shoot ratio, shoot length, root length, and vigour index I and II. These correlations formed a coherent cluster that suggested coordinated germination and vigour. Time to 50% germination and mean germination time demonstrated a negative correlation with germination, highlighting its function as vigour.

The analyses highlighted the different trait relationships under nutri-priming and emphasised the vital role that seed vigour and germination play in maintaining physiological activity.

Fig. 2. Effect of Nutri-priming on (a) Root to shoot length ratio, (b) Seedling length (cm), (c) Seedling fresh weight (mg seedling-1), (d) Seedling dry weight (mg seedling-1), (e) Vigour index I, (f) Vigour index II in Rice (Oryza sativa L., cv. Bidhan Suruchi).

Fig. 3. Pearson correlation matrix depicting pairwise correlation coefficients (r) for GP (Germination Potential), T50 (Time to 50% Germination), GE (Germination Energy), GI (Germination Index), MGT (Mean Germination Time), RSR (Root–Shoot length Ratio), SL (Seedling Length), SFW (Seedling Fresh Weight), SDW (Seedling Dry Weight), VI-I and VI-II (Vigour Index I and II). Blue cells indicate positive correlations, red cells indicate negative correlations, and colour intensity reflects the magnitude of r. Significance levels are denoted as p < 0.05 (*), p < 0.01 (**), and p < 0.001 (***).

The findings show that when treatment is applied at optimal concentrations, it greatly improves seed germination characteristics. Highest germination potential, greatest germination energy, fastest germination, highest vigour, and lowest mean germination time were all consistently demonstrated by T3 (1.00 mL) in comparison to all other treatments. Among the parameters root shoot ratio, seedling length, fresh and dry weight, and vigour index T3 (1.00 mL) and T4 (2.00 mL) consistently produced the best performance. By increasing elongation growth, biomass production, and metabolic efficiency, these treatments promoted superior seedling vigour. On the other hand, most traits decreased with high concentrations of priming (T5 and T6), suggesting possible osmotic stress or biochemical inhibition at higher concentrations. Higher concentrations (T6), on the other hand, decreased seed performance, suggesting possible toxicity or osmotic stress at high concentrations. This implies that the treatment's positive effects are dose-dependent, with moderate dosages encouraging seed vigour and excessive application having negative effects. Therefore, the best treatment for improving early seedling growth and vigour in rice cv Bidhan Suruchi as well as overall germination behaviour is 1.00 mL.

To understand the physiological mechanisms underlying increased metabolic activity, antioxidant balance, and nutrient assimilation during early germination, detailed biochemical and molecular analyses are required. Furthermore, standardising extraction protocols, assessing storage stability, and conducting economic feasibility studies will help farmers commercialise and adopt these technologies. Comparative evaluation with other organic byproducts, as well as integration with complementary priming approaches, may help to refine sustainable and environmentally friendly rice seed enhancement strategies.

Janapareddy Rajesh, Srijan Samanta and Sanjoy Kumar Bordolui (2026). Impact of Nutri-priming on Germination Dynamics and Early Seedling Vigour in Rice. International Journal of Theoretical & Applied Sciences, 18(1), 10–16.