EFFECTS OF SALINITY ON GERMINATION, MORPHOLOGY AND MINERAL CONTENTS OF SEEDLINGS OF DIFFERENT RICE (Oryza saliva L.) CULTIVARS

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of salinity on germination, morphology and mineral contents of seedlings of 28 different rice (Oryza saliva L.) cultivars under 5 levels of salinity (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 dS mi using completely randomized design with three replications. The germination percentage, seedling height, root dry weight. shoot dry weight and total dry matter of seedlings were significantly influenced by salinity. The higher germination percentage, seedling height. root dry weight. shoot dry weight and total dry matter were found in cultivars Nona Bokkra. Hecra-2. Sadarnota, Lalmota, BINA SaI-2 and BRRI dhan47 while the lower values were recorded in BRRI dhan28 followed by BRRI dhan29 and BR 22. The percent germination, root dry weight. shoot dry weight and total dry matter decreased with increasing salinity levels. Though Lower levels of salinity (0 to 3 dS in-') did not significantly affect on percent germination. The concentration of Na. Ca2' and Mg2' except C and values of Na/K. Na/Ca and Na/Mg ratio significantly increased in seedlings irrespective of cultivars with increasing levels of salinity. Value of Na/K increased slowly in cultivars Bashiraj. BINA Sal-2. Nona l3okkra. Komragor. Lalmota and BRRI dhan47 which is an indication of salt tolerance.