Character Morphology and Physiology of Flood-Resistant Rice in the South Sumatra Lowland Swamp

Abstract

Alternatives to increase rice production in Indonesia is the expansion of planting area to a swampy bogland. Obstacles encountered in swampy areas are frequent flooding that comes unpredictable as the impact of global climate change phenomena. One effort to overcome that use flood-resistant varieties, which can be derived from local varieties or improved varieties results from the assembly. This study aims to find the most resistant local varieties of immersion in the vegetative phase, and knowing the character of morphology and physiology that are characteristic of resistance to stress submersion due to flooding. Fieldwork was carried by the experimental method to the stress of a different environment, namely, P0 = control plants (without soaking), P1 = the plants soaked at the age of 7–14 days, P2 = the plants soaked at the age of 7–14 days and 28–35 days. At any environmental condition tested 11 varieties, i.e., V1 = FR13A, V2 = Inpara-3, V3 = Inpara-4, V4 = Inpara-5, V5 = Ciliwung, V6 = IR64, V7 = Ruti, V8 = Uffa, V9 = Lambur, V10 = Payak Acan, and V11 = Payak Selimbuk. The results showed that local varieties Payak Selimbuk tolerate immersion for one week in the vegetative phase. The character trait physiology tolerant to submergence is chlorophyll content and high carbohydrate. Local rice morphological characters that are tolerant of immersion is tall plants and better plant vigor.