Evaluation of rice cultivars under salinity stress at germination stage

In order to evaluate rice cultivars under salinity stress at germination stage, a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications in the laboratory of seed and seedling sciences and research of Gilan. Five rice cultivars (Anam, Khazar, Gilaneh, Kian and Hashemi) were studied at four salinity levels (zero, 50, 100 and 150 mM NaCl). The results of analysis of variance showed significant effects of salinity, genotype and interaction effect for all measured traits at one percent level. Also, according to the results of mean comparison, salinity except for allometric coefficient and germination percentage (at salinity level with concentration of 50 mM NaCl), caused a decrease in all studied traits including stem and root length, fresh and dry weight of stem and root, average daily germination and plantlet vigor index. The Kian cultivar had the highest percentage of germination (salinity level 50 mM equal to 98.66 %) at all levels. Finally, under the experimental conditions of this research, according to the results Hashemi and Gilaneh cultivars were found to be the most tolerant and sensitive cultivars, respectively.