Performance of different rice lines in Zn-deficient soil

Abstract

Ten rice lines with different responses to Zn deficiency were grown in a Zn deficient soil with 0 (Zn0) or 10 (Zn10) mg Zn kg -1 soil. The soil was a fine montmorillonitic calcareous Typic Hydraquent from Tiaong, Quezon, Philippines (DTPA-extractable Zn 0.04 mg kg -1 , pH 7.8). Portions (3 kg) of the soil were placed in plastic pots and flooded with water for 3 wk. Pregerminated seeds were then sown and the plants were grown for 3 wk in a glasshouse under typical humid tropical wet-season conditions. The following measurements were made: Zn deficiency score by the IRRI Standard evaluation system for rice , number of leaves with Zn deficiency symptoms, number of tillers, plant height, shoot dry weight, and shoot Zn content.