Morpho-physiological, biochemical and molecular characterization of coastal rice landraces to identify novel genetic sources of salinity tolerance

Soil salinity is a leading cause for yield losses in rice, affecting nearly 6% of global rice cultivable area. India is host to a rich diversity of coastal rice landraces that are naturally tolerant to salinity and an untapped source to identify novel determinants of salinity tolerance. In the present study, we have assessed the relative salinity tolerance of 43 previously genotyped rice landraces at seedling stage, using thirteen morpho-physiological and biochemical parameters using a hydroponics system. Among 43 rice varieties, 25 were tolerant, 15 were moderately tolerant, 1 was moderately susceptible and 2 sensitive checks were found to be highly susceptible based on standard salinity scoring methods. In addition to previously known saline tolerant genotypes (Pokkali, FL478 and Nona Bokra), the present study has novel genotypes such as Katrangi, Orkyma, Aduisen 1, Oru-mundakan 1, Hoogla, and Talmugur 2 as potential sources of salinity tolerance through measurement of morpho-physiological and biochemical parameters including Na+, K+ estimations and Na+/K+ ratios. Further, Pallipuram Pokkali may be an important source of the tissue tolerance trait under salinity. Four marker trait associations (RM455-root Na+; RM161-shoot and root Na+/K+ ratios; RM237-salinity tolerance index) accounted for phenotypic variations in the range of 20.97-39.82%. A significant increase in root endodermal and exodermal suberization was observed in selected rice landraces under salinity. For the first time, variation in the number of suberized sclerenchymatous layers as well as passage cells is reported, in addition to expression level changes in suberin biosynthetic genes (CYP86A2, CYP81B1, CYP86A8 and PERL).