Attenuation of low-temperature stress in rice seedlings

ABSTRACT Rice is a cold-sensitive crop, and its exposure to low-temperature stress, during germination and early seedling growth, can negatively affect the initial stand establishment. Substances that act as growth regulators can be used to mitigate this initial stress. Thus, the influence of gibberellic acid, thiamethoxam and a phytohormone was investigated at the growth variables and antioxidant enzyme activity of the 'Irga 424' and 'Puita Inta CL' rice cultivars, at low-temperature (17 ºC). The products act on the germination percentage of 'Puita Inta CL', but vigor is only influenced by giberellic acid. Giberellic acid influences shoot length, irrespective of cultivar, while thiamethoxam and the phytohormone only affect length in 'Puita Inta CL'. The antioxidant activity depends on the cultivar and organ tested (shoot or root). These products mitigate the effects of cold, thereby preventing the formation of reactive-oxygen species and lipid peroxidation, and positively influence the superoxide dismutase enzyme activity.