Assessment of salt stress tolerance in three varieties of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Salinity is a serious problem affecting one third of the irrigation land and limiting the yield potential of modern varieties. In the present study, rice varieties were analyzed for salt stress tolerance at germination and early seedling growth stage. Seeds of three rice varieties (Narendra-1, Sabarmati and Hybrid-312) were collected and kept under six salt stress levels. Seed germination, seedling length, dry weight, seed vigor and other parameters were recorded. The results showed that with increasing salt stress, germination in all the varieties was delayed and decreased from 100% in control to 16.7% in highest (20 dsm⁻¹) salt stress level. Maximum germination percentage was observed in Narendra-1 and Sabarmati varieties under salt stress levels. Shoot and root length, dry weight of shoot and root, fresh weight of shoot and root decreased in all rice varieties with increase in salt stress levels. These results could be helpful in identification of the tolerant varieties which can be studied further and economically exploited.