Evaluation of different rice genotypes based on the proline content and biomass accumulation during submergence

Flooding is a major threat to agricultural production. Most studies have focused on the water shortage in rice fields whereas few studies have examined the water excess. The present study was aimed at exploring the effect of water logging at rice tillering stage on rice growth and yield. Field experiment comprising 22 rice varieties completely submerged for 15 days under RBD design was conducted to screen out the submergence tolerant varieties based upon morpho-physiological characters in the coastal ecosystem of Odisha during kharif 2014 at the Adaptive Research Station, Sakhigopal, Puri, Odisha. The total dry matter accumulation before the submergence was highest in IR 85085 SUB-17 (1465.74 g/m²) whereas after the submergence it was highest in tolerant genotype FR-43B (1124.01g/m2). Proline content before submergence was almost at par in all the genotypes but increased after desubmergence. Submergence-tolerant genotypes showed very low increase in proline content as compared to intolerant ones. Higher harvest index was found in tolerant genotypes as compared to the susceptible ones. Low proline content, high total dry matter before and after submergence and high harvest index could be possible due to physiological markers for screening of rice germplasm for submergence tolerance.