Varietal Difference in Seed Germination under Different Levels of Salt Stress in Rice

Abstract

Background: Salinity, major abiotic stress affects many field crops including rice. Salinity account 20% of cultivated area and may cover 50% irrigated area by the end of 2050 due to climate change. Global food security ensured by developing high yielding rice varieties tolerant to different abiotic stress. Salinity affect both germination and other growth stages of rice. Methods: Present study conducted in Tamil Nadu Agricultural University aim to assess the seed germination of rice under salinity stress using germination and growth parameters. In our study we included 11 rice genotypes with one tolerant check Pokkali and one susceptible check IR 64 recorded germination percentage, mean germination time, germination index, seedling vigour index, shoot length, root length, fresh weight, dry weight, root length to shoot length ratio and stress tolerance index. Result: Two way ANOVA used for comparing means. Two component extracted through principle component analysis which explained a total of 83.54% variance. Component 1 explained 64.96% and component 2 explained 18.57%. Stress tolerance index recorded higher for TRY 3 under 150mM NaCl followed by TRY 2.