Department of Crop Physiology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore - 641 003, India.
Four rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes with varying 1evelsof tolerance to salinity were used for assessing their response at germination and seedling stage to salt. Differential response of genotypes to salt concentration was observed. Germination of tolerant genotypes was better (more than 90%) in highly tolerant varieties and it was low (below 70%) in susceptible variety. Shoot and root length, vigour index and germination per cent were affected by increasing salinity. Co 43 and Pokkali found to be tolerant and IR 50 and ADT 38 are the susceptible variety. Antioxidant enzyme like peroxidase and catalase under salt stress in rice are important. Among the four genotypes viz., Co 43, Pokkali, ADT 38 and IR 50. Pokkali showed a higher activity of peroxidase and catalase followed by Co 43. ADT 38 and IR 50 showed a lesser activity of these enzyme showing that it is susceptible for salt stress.
