Stimulation of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Seedling Vigour by Smoke‐water and Butenolide

The newly identified smoke‐compound butenolide (3‐methyl‐2 H ‐furo[2,3‐ c ]pyran‐2‐one) can improve seedling vigour. This study highlights the effects of smoke‐water and butenolide on shoot and root elongation of a local rice variety. Smoke‐water (1 : 500) and butenolide (10 −8 m ) treatments significantly increased shoot length. A low concentration of butenolide (10 −10 m ) promoted maximum root length and seedling weight, which were significantly different from the control. Butenolide‐treated (10 −8 m ) seedlings had a significantly greater number of lateral roots than untreated seedlings. The vigour index of smoke‐water (1 : 500) and butenolide‐treated (10 −8 m ) rice seeds was significantly higher than that of untreated seeds. These findings suggest the possible use of butenolide for promoting vigorous seedlings in rice.