Influence of salinity on the germination and growth characteristics of rice

Abstract

A study was made of the influence of salinity on the germination, growth and yield of different varieties of rice. Germination was studied in the laboratory for five varieties using nine salts at different concentrations. Growth and yield characteristics were observed for two varieties in a pot culture experiment by flooding the soil with sea water for twenty four hours at different stages in the growth period of the plants. The percentage germination was reduced in all the varieties with increase in the concentration of the salt. For the same concentration the adverse effects of salts on germination increased in the order ammonium chloride ammonium sulphate < sodium chloride < sodium sulphate < potassium chloride < potassium sulphate < magnesium sulphate < calcium chloride. Chlorides were generally more toxic than sulphates. Among the cations, ammonium and potassium were the least toxic, sodium and magnesium were more so, while calcium was the most injurious.