Effects of Salinity on Germination Behaviour of Two Paddy Landraces Grown in Chakrata, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

Germination ability of seeds varies significantly amongst different varieties of same crop when exposed to the stress. Paddy (Oryza sativa L.) is known to be highly sensitive to salinity during germination and young seedling stages. Present study was aimed to observe the effects of six salinity concentrations (0%, 0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2%) on the germination behaviour of two paddy landraces (Chenaphool and Gyasu), frequently grown in Chakrata area of district Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Salinity (>0.1%) was inversely related to final germination percentage, germination energy, plumule dry weight, plumule length, radical dry weight, radical length and speed of germination. Chenaphool landrace showed higher germination and growth (plumule and radical) at 0% salinity (control), while Gyasu landrace at 0.1% salinity level.Dry weight percentage reduction increased with increasing salinity level, while negative correlation was observed between salinity and salt tolerance index and seed vigour index for both the varieties. The study concluded that the long grained, irrigated landrace Chenaphool was more sensitive to salinity in comparison to short grained, non-irrigated landrace Gyassu. Lower salinity conditions have no adverse effects on the germination behaviour of Gyasu landrace.