Seed germination and seedling growth of rice varieties as affected by flooding stress

Abstract

Submergence tolerance is an important character to be considered when flash flood damages rice. Tolerant genotypes can withstand submergence for 1–2 weeks based on their tolerance level. Hence with a view to study the effect of submergence on germination and seedling attributes, eight cultivated varieties were subjected to submergence tolerance at five levels of flooding <italic>viz</italic>., 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm and 5 cm flooding levels. CR 1009 sub 1, a submergence tolerant variety was used as check. With increase in submergence levels, greater reduction was observed for all the parameters. Survival % and seedling length were found to be decreased under flooded conditions, but to a much lower extent in the tolerant genotype. Flooding decreased shoot, root and total dry matter production in all the varieties with more reduction in higher flooding (5 cm) rather than lower flooding (1cm) levels.