Vol. 12, Issue 9 (2023)

Author(s):
Veronica N, Venkata Ramana Rao P and Vani Praveena M

Abstract:
Salinity has become a major environmental factor that affects the growth and productivity of crops. The land under saline soils is increasing at an alarming rate. Rice, being a salt-sensitive crop is highly prone to salinity stress and the growth, yield and quality is hampered if grown under saline conditions. After drought, salinity is the second most important abiotic constraint which affects rice thereby reducing its production and productivity. The problem of salinity is more in the coastal regions in particular. Physiological phenotyping of rice genotypes for salinity tolerance will strengthen crop improvement programs to develop varieties with salinity tolerance. Hence, this study aimed at phenotyping of rice genotypes at seedling stage using hydroponics and also to examine the impact of salt stress on morphological and physiological traits. The traits shoot length, root length, shoot dry weight, root dry weight and leaf chlorophyll content reduced under salinity stress when compared to control. Besides the check FL 478, genotypes such as White Gora, Dular, CR 3818 IC 225, Rashpanjor, NPS 95, AC 43025 had a lower SES score indicating their tolerant nature. This was also reflected in terms of lesser reduction in the morphological traits such as root and shoot length as well as dry matter.