Growth, yield, and chemical composition of rice (Oryza Sativa L.) under saline water irrigation

Experiments with rice plants grown in pots filled with coastal saline soil showed that early tillering and panicle initiation in rice are very sensitive to saline water irrigation. The latter had a stronger effect when it began at the early growth stage and continued at later stages. Continuous irrigation with saline water, irrespective of the salinity level, resulted in a decrease in growth, yield, and N, P, and K contents of grain and straw. Rice plants at later growth stages proved to be significantly more tolerant to saline water irrigation.