Anaerobic germination is an important trait for rice cultivation in flood-prone areas. However, anaerobic germination is a complex process and requires specific adaptations in plant physiology and metabolism to tolerate the low oxygen conditions. In this study, we aimed to identify rice genotypes with high anaerobic germination tolerance through screening of a diverse panel of 103 rice accessions. The screening was conducted at ICAR – NRRI under anaerobic conditions for 21 days, and the percentage of germinated seeds, length of first internode (cm), shoot length (cm), number of leaves, root length (cm), shoot and root biomass (g), and seedling vigour index was recorded. The accessions showed a wide range of anaerobic germination tolerance, with the percentage of germinated seeds ranging from 0% to 94%. Based on the screening, we identified five genotypes Tulasiphula, Panirohi, BJ 1, Chinamali and ARC 14855 with high anaerobic germination tolerance coupled with high seedling vigour. These genotypes had a significantly higher percentage of germinated seeds under anaerobic conditions compared to the other accessions. Our findings provide useful information for rice breeding programs aimed at developing genotypes with high anaerobic germination tolerance. The identified genotypes could be used as parental lines for breeding programs, and the screening methodology could be employed for further evaluation of larger germplasm collections. Overall, the study highlights the importance of anaerobic germination tolerance for rice cultivation in flood-prone areas and provides insights into the genetic diversity of this trait in rice germplasm.

Screening, Anaerobic germination tolerance, Length of first internode, seedling vigour

The present investigation on screening rice genotypes for anaerobic germination tolerance have shown that there is considerable genetic variability in rice varieties, with some genotypes being more tolerant to anaerobic conditions than others. The tolerance of rice genotypes to anaerobic germination is an important trait in rice breeding programs, particularly in flood-prone regions, as it ensures that the crop can germinate and grow even under waterlogged conditions. The genotypes with higher germination percentage and high seedling vigour (TulasiPhula, Panirohi, BJ 1, Chinamali, ARC 14855) are crucial good seedling establishment rate and these genotypes could be selected for introgression of anaerobic germination tolerance traits into the elite cultivars through various breeding programmes to improve their adaptability seedling establishment rates in direct seeded rice (DSR) cultivation. The screening of rice genotypes for anaerobic germination tolerance is a time-consuming and labour-intensive process, but it is crucial for identifying genotypes that can withstand adverse environmental conditions. The use of molecular markers can facilitate the identification of specific genes that confer tolerance to anaerobic conditions, making the screening process more efficient. In conclusion, the screening of rice genotypes for anaerobic germination tolerance is an important step in rice breeding programs, as it can lead to the development of rice varieties that are better adapted to flood-prone regions. The use of modern biotechnological tools, such asmolecular markers, can further enhance the efficiency of the screening process, leading to the identification of genes that confer tolerance to anaerobic conditions.

C. Vijay Kumar Reddy*, B. Pradhan, A. Anandan, Manasi Dash, K.C. Samal and R.K. Panda (2022). Screening of Rice Genotypes for Anaerobic Germination Tolerance: Identifying Potential Breeding Lines. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(4a): 687-693.