Ionic Balance and Growth of Rice under Saline Soil Condition

The effect of soil salinity on accumulation of inorganic anions/cations and organic salts in the plant was studied in six rice varieties. It was observed that with rise in soil salinity, organic salt content decreased while there was an increase in inorganic salt concentration. At higher salinity, salt tolerant rice varieties had higher organic salt content and lower uptake of Na+ and Cl⁻ as compared with less tolerant cultivars. Although both chloride and sulphate were the major anions in the soil, chlorides formed the bulk of inorganic ions in plant. A positive correlation was observed between organic salt content and dry matter yield.