Characterization of salinity tolerance in rice ( Oryza sativa L.) genotypes at the germination and seedling stages

Abstract

The present work was conducted to study the genotypic variability of rice genotypes at the germination and seedling stages at different levels of salinity (0 M, 0.15 M, 0.2 M and 0.25 M NaCl). The results showed that increasing salinity decreased germination and seedling growth. Significant genotypic variability exists in the germination and seedling stages in response to different NaCl concentrations. Most of the genotypes showed more than 90% germination in the control, indicating good seed vigour. Two genotypes, VBR 638 (93%) and VBR 644 (84%), were selected as being tolerant to salinity at 0.2 M NaCl at the germination stage. Therefore, these could be used as source materials for genetic improvement for salinity tolerance at the germination stage. A considerable amount of genotypic variability was also found under control and saline conditions at the seedling stage with respect to the variables shoot height, root length, shoot and root dry weight. The high heritability observed for these variables offers good scope for genetic improvement for salinity tolerance both at the germination and seedling stages. The genotypes VBR 616, VBR 628, VBR 645, VBR 640, VBR 611, VBR 620, VBR 612, VBR 618, VBR 644, VBR 629, VBR 625 and VBR 630 were selected as being tolerant to salinity at the seedling stage.