Abstract
Seedling emergence was examined in direct sowing culture on well-drained paddy fields at low temperatures. Germination characteristics were assessed under aerobic conditions and coleoptile elongation under anaerobic conditions associated with seedling emergence. The experiments included 138 domestic and foreign rice cultivars. The speed of seedling emergence was positively correlated with the final seedling emergence rate and early plant growth. The speed of coleoptile elongation under anaerobic conditions was not correlated with the speed of seedling emergence, suggesting that coleoptile elongation under anaerobic conditions was not related to seedling emergence. The speed of germination was positively correlated with the speed of seedling emergence, suggesting that the speed of germination affects the speed of seedling emergence and consequently the final seedling emergence rate and early plant growth. I concluded that early germination was important for seedling emergence and establishment in direct sowing culture on well-drained paddy fields at low temperatures.
