Novel approach in screening rice genotype for tolerance to salt stress under hydroponic culture

This study was undertaken to standardize an efficient and effective protocol for callus induction, subsequent growth and regeneration of ADT 43 genotype and hydroponic solution was used for salinity screening in regenerated plants of ADT 43. Proline content was analyzed in salinity screened plants. The medium used for callus induction was Murashige and Skoog (1962) commonly referred as MS medium, with six different concentrations of 2,4-D were used for callus induction viz., 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 mg/l 2,4-D. In this 2.0 mg/l 2,4-D having high callus induction frequency (98.33%). For regeneration of callus eight combinations of BA and IAA were used in MS medium. In this MS+3.0 mg/l BA+2.0 mg/l IAA having maximum regeneration frequency (71.67%). The well regenerated planlets were tranferred to Yoshida’s solution for hydroponic salinity screeening. In that, III-7 (113.66 µg/g) and VIII-2 (117.66 µg/g) somaclone lines had high proline accumulation. Hence, the salt tolerant somaclones produced higher proline content than the other somaclones. These lines can be exploited further to get salt tolerant varieties. These lines can be used to adopt in salt affected soil environment. Key words: Rice, Callus induction, Callus regeneration, Somoclone, Salt tolerance