The effect of salt stress on growth parameters of Oryza sativa (rice) variety NSIC Rc 442
ELAINE S. GEROCHE1, NICO ANGELO O. SOMBIRO1, JEREMY LANCE P. VILLEGAS1, ANGELO P. OLVIDO1, and HOPE G. PATRICIO2
1Philippine Science High School – Western Visayas Campus, Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Department of Science and Technology, Philippines
2College of Agriculture, Resources, and Environmental Sciences – Central Philippine University, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
Abstract
Salinity is one of the leading causes of crop yield loss worldwide. The presence of harmful cations and anions in the soil through seawater intrusion is the main cause of soil salinization in the Philippines. With this, the study focused on the effect of three types of salts: NaCl, KCl, and CaCl2 on the germination stage of rice. Three different salts with three different concentrations along with a negative control were utilized for the setup. Three replicates were utilized for each treatment. Three Petri dishes were utilized per replicate, each containing fifty seeds. Salt solutions were prepared at three different salinity levels (4, 6, and 8 dS/m). Seeds were allowed to grow for 10 days and germination parameters were measured and recorded thereafter. All data were analyzed using One-way ANOVA at 95% confidence level. Germination percentage showed no significant difference among salts and salinity levels. All the lengths of the shoots and roots, and fresh weights of seeds exposed to NaCl, KCl, and CaCl2 at varying salinity levels showed significant differences.
Keywords: salt stress, Oryza sativa, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride