The Effect of Sodium Chloride (NaCl) stress on Seed germination and Seedling Growth of Rice (Oryza Sativa L.)

Abiotic stress is a major problem around the world causing huge losses to cultivated crops. To overcome this problem, a study was carried out to examine the effect of Sodium chloride (NaCl) stress on germination of seeds, plantlet development (root, shoot length and fresh, dry weight), cell damage (cell membrane stability) and SDS-PAGE analysis of two rice cultivars i.e. Basmati-385 and Shaheen Basmati. It was observed that salt stress had negative effects on seed germination and germination rate. In both rice varieties, gradual reduction in root and shoot length was observed from control to 100 mM Sodium chloride stress while a considerable decrease in shoot and root length was examined at 150 mM. Root and shoot dry weight showed progressive decrease with increasing salt stress. Cell injury also showed progressive increase from control to 150 mM salt concentration. In SDS-PAGE analysis, no variation was found in proteins banding pattern of rice leaves proteins under salt stress and control.