Initially 10 rice genotypes were evaluated for their tolerance response to salt tolerance at seedling stage in rabi 2019 in the net house of ICAR-NRRI, Cuttack. Amongst all FL478 was found to have least reduction in plant vigour and biomass followed by AC41585 and AC39416A. While some genotypes like Rashpanjor, CSR27 and Binadhan 8 were considered as moderately tolerant with a SES score of 5 and moderate retention of leaf water potential and plant dry matter. But susceptible genotypes like IR29 (check), Sabita and Sadri were observed to have highest reduction in vigour and biomass. Higher accumulation of noxious amount of Na+ inside the leaf mesophyll cell hampered the chlorophyll pigment concentration in the susceptible genotypes. But maintaining lower Na+ and high retention of K+ helps some tolerant genotypes (FL478, AC41585 and AC39416A) to survive the salt stress in seedling stage. From this study, we conclude that an efficient management of noxious Na+ ion in the photosynthetic tissue helps to render greater salt tolerance in early growth stages.

Salt stress, SES Score, Na+, and K+ concentration, chlorophyll concentration

Hence it can be concluded that, genotypes (FL478, AC41585 and AC39416A) with least Na+ accumulation and maximum retention of K+ were able to retain integrity of photosynthestic pigments (chlorophyll) and able to maintain a stability in ionic homeostasis inside the actively growing plant tissues even under salinity. On the other hand susceptible genotypes (IR29 and Sabita) failed to do so hamper the overall plant vigour and bio mass retention.

A. Mohanty, N. Sahu, R. Mishra and C. Patra (2022). Evaluation of Salt Tolerance in Ten different Rice Genotypes at Seedling Stage. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(4a): 681-686.