ItemArticle

Melatonin seed priming enhances early seedling tolerance to individual and combined abiotic stresses in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Title
Melatonin seed priming enhances early seedling tolerance to individual and combined abiotic stresses in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Creator
Ransi, Sharon; Thomas, Tinu
Description
Combined drought and salinity pose a critical constraint to rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedling establishment, often exerting a greater impact than individual stresses such as drought, salinity, or heavy metals. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of melatonin seed priming (50M) in mitigating the combined effects of drought-salinity stress along with individual drought, salinity, and chromium (Cr) stress during the seedling stage in the indica variety IR64, and validated the findings across three major Indian cultivars (MTU1001, KMP-225 and Jyothi). Melatonin priming significantly mitigated stress-induced root and shoot inhibition. Under combined drought and salinity stress, melatonin-primed shoots (4.17cm) were significantly higher and maintained lower oxidative stress markers, with reduced malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide, compared to hydro-primed controls, indicating improved membrane stability and antioxidant protection. Under individual drought, salinity, and chromium stress, melatonin-primed seedlings showed significantly enhanced root and shoot lengths compared to hydro-primed controls, supporting better early growth and resource allocation. Spectral profiling revealed higher chlorophyll content and normalized difference vegetation index values in melatonin-primed seedlings under salinity and chromium stress, indicating improved pigment stability and seedling vigor. Across all genotypes, melatonin conferred consistent benefits, indicating its potential as a low-cost and potentially scalable strategy. These findings highlight melatonin seed priming as a promising approach for improving rice resilience, with significant potential for enhancing crop establishment in stress-prone, resource-limited agroecosystems. Akadiai KiadZrt. 2026.
Source
Cereal Research Communications;
Date
01-01-2026
Publisher
Springer Nature
Subject
Combined stress; Drought; Melatonin; Priming; Rice
Coverage
Ransi S., Department of Life Sciences, Christ University, Bangalore, India; Thomas T., Department of Life Sciences, Christ University, Bangalore, India, Centre for Landscapes, Wildlife and Marine Ecology (CLIME), Department of Life Sciences, Christ University, Bangalore, India
Rights
Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library
Relation
ISSN: 1333720; CODEN: CRCMC
Format
online
Language
English
Type
Article

Citation

Ransi, Sharon; Thomas, Tinu, “Melatonin seed priming enhances early seedling tolerance to individual and combined abiotic stresses in rice (Oryza sativa L.),” CHRIST (Deemed To Be University) Institutional Repository, accessed June 18, 2026, https://archives.christuniversity.in/items/show/22136.

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