Evaluating the rice germplasm for salinity tolerance based on phenotypic traits

Abstract

Salinity is one of the major problems which hampers yield production. Salinity stress can be perceived either in the soil or irrigation water. Forty rice germplasms were selected based on their origin country. Salinity level at 12dSm−1 were imposed at seedling stage (10 Days after sowing). The findings observed shoot length and root length were decreased under salt stress. Although, the rice germplasms responded to salt stress differently, however, leaf injury score and percent of survival seedlings successfully differentiated the salt tolerant genotypes. BULASTOG, AZUCENA and ZHEN-LONG 13 were performed well under salt stress with exhibited lowest leaf injury score compared to the tolerant control varieties. BULASTOG also showed the highest percent of survival seedlings under salt stress. The second highest on percent of survival seedlings observed in KHAO TAH HAENG, and followed with CITANDANG. Cluster analysis was constructed based on leaf injury score, shoot length, root length, and percent of survival seedlings grouped the rice germplasms into three major groups. The tolerant control varieties, POKKALI I and POKKALI II were grouped in Group 2. BULASTONG and KHAO TAH HAENG were obviously closed to tolerant control varieties in the group. In conclusion, BULASTONG and KHAO TAH HAENG are the most promising rice germplasms under salinity condition, the germplasms can be recommended for further improvement program for salt tolerant in rice. In addition, shoot length, leaf injury score, and percent of survival seedlings should be emphasized during selection of salt tolerant genotypes of rice at seedling stage.