STEM

Germination Performance of Hybrid Rice Varieties in Catanduanes Treated with Malunggay (Moringa oleifera) Leaf Extract

Sef Nazrene P. Padua, Merry Magdaline V. Reodique, Amara Liane B. Santos, and Trisha Nova E. Sorra

Senior High School Department, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Catanduanes National High School, Virac, Catanduanes

Hydropriming is used to help seeds germinate, and one of the enhanced agents for this is Moringa Leaf Extract (MLE), which can improve seedling performance in various crops, including rice. This study investigates the effects on germination and early growth of hybrid rice varieties (TH82 and NK5017) using MLE as a seed priming agent. Two hybrid rice varieties (TH82 and NK5017) were tested; each variety was subjected to five treatments (100% MLE, 75% MLE, 50% MLE, 25% MLE, and 100% water as a controlling variable) using the “Ragdoll Method.” The parameters, including Germination Percentage (GP), Germination Index (GI), Mean Germination Time (MGT), and Seedling Vigor Index (SVI), were calculated. Results showed that TH82 exhibits good germination across all the treatments (85% to 89%), while NK5017 has low germination (2% to 8%). Different concentrations did not affect the MI. Additionally, concentrations with water (T2 – 75% MLE + 25% water and T4 – 25% MLE + 75% water) led to higher MGT, indicating a faster germination rate. Seeds subjected to lower MLE resulted in vigorous development.  Based on these assessments, T4 (25% MLE + 75% water) is the best MLE concentration to enhance the germination speed and seedling vigor of TH82 and NK5017. The findings of this study will contribute to the growing knowledge of using plant-based extracts as seed primers and their potential application in a sustainable agricultural field.

Keywords—malunggay leaf extract (MLE), seed priming, hydropriming, hybrid rice, germination performance, germination percentage, germination index, mean germination time, seedling vigor index, treatments, plant-based primer

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