Evaluation and clustering on salt-tolerant ability in rice genotypes (Oryza sativa L. subsp. indica) using multivariate physiological indices

Salinity is a major abiotic stress that affects plant growth and development, especially in rice crop as it is a salt susceptible crop. Therefore, a wide range of rice genetic resources are screened in the germplasm banks to identify salt tolerant cultivars. The objective of this investigation was to develop effective indices for the classification of salt tolerant rice genotypes among Pathumthani 1, Khao Dawk Mali 105 (KDML 105), RD31, RD41, Suphanburi 1, RD43, RD49 and Riceberry. Rice seedlings were hydroponically grown with 10 dS m−1 NaCl treatment or without NaCl treatment (to serve as control) (WP; 2 dS m−1). Standard evaluation system peaked at a score of 9 in Pathumthani 1 and KDML 105, after 21 days of salt treatment, leading to leaf chlorosis, leaf burns and plant death. Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total carotenoids were maintained better in the salt-stressed leaves of rice cvs. Riceberry and RD43, as compared to other cultivars. Salt stress induced a remarkable increase in the free proline accumulation (by 8.38 folds) in cv. Riceberry. Overall growth performance in rice cv. Riceberry was retained, whereas it declined in other cultivars. After 21 days of NaCl treatment at a concentration of 10 dS m−1, eight rice cultivars were classified into 3 groups based on multivariate physio-morphological indices, Group I: salt-tolerant rice, including cv. Riceberry; Group II: moderately salt tolerant, consisting of RD31, RD41, Suphanburi 1, RD43 and RD49 cultivars; Group III: salt-sensitive cultivars, namely Pathumthani 1 and KDML 105.