Department of Crop Physiology, Chandra Shekher Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur-208002
Of the twelve paddy genotypes tested at 15 ECe level of salinity, Kalaratta, Damodar and RPA-5929 were rated as tolerant; IBT-3359, IR-20, T-26 and Pusa 2-21 as moderately tolerant and CR 10-141, IR-51213, IR-1514 A-E 666, IET-1444 and Mi-48 as susceptible. Soil salinity significantly reduced nitrate reductase activity in the leaves while proline accumulation was stimulated. The increase in leaf proline was relatively greater in the tolerant genotypes than the susceptible ones. Salinity index of yield showed significant positive association with salinity indices of NR-activity as well as proline accumulation. Evidently, proline accumulation may serve as one of the promising indices for breeding salt tolerant genotypes in rice.
