Gene expression dynamics of HKT family genes in salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive indica rice cultivars

Soil salinity is one of the major constraints limiting productivity of crop plants. In present study, effect of NaCl (150mM) on high-affinity potassium transporters (HKTs) were investigated into four contrasting rice genotypes salttolerant (CSR11, CSR27) and salt-sensitive (MI48 and VSR156). Salinity stress significantly reduced growth of VSR156 and MI48 whereas, only slight reduction was observed in CSR11 and CSR27. Under NaCl stress, OsHKTs group I transcripts were significantly up-regulated in saltsensitive varieties in comparison with salt-tolerant. However, OsHKTs group II showed higher expression in salt-tolerant one in comparison with sat-sensitive. These results suggested the differential expression of OsHKT group I and II genes and hence, their differential behavior in response to salt stress. Our study, elucidate the role of seven OsHKT genes in shoot and root for salt tolerance in rice plant.