ESCALATION IN RICE (Oryza sativa L.) SEED STRENGTH AND SUCCESSIVE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH POTASSIUM HUMATE

Seed strength is an important agronomic traits and considered as an indicator of crop yield and economic value. Different concentrations of potassium humate i.e. 0, 250, 500, 750 and 100 mg per kilogram were applied on the seeds of Basmati rice and their influence was observed. After treatment with the potassium humate various vegetative (plant height; root, shoot length; fresh and dry biomass of root and shoot) and reproductive growth (number of tillers, flowers, grains, weight of 100 grains) parameters were recorded. It was observed that 500 mg/kg concentration of potassium humate has given potential results as compared to rest of the concentrations. It was also observed that an increment in the concentration from 500mg/kg has ceased a number of physiological functions of the rice plants under trial.