EVALUATION OF SALINITY TOLERANCE IN RICE (ORYZA SATIVA L.) USING WATER POTENTIAL, BIOMASS, MEMBRAN DAMAGE AND OSMOPROTECTIVE COMPOUND

We investigated the physiological (biomass, water relative content-RWC) and biochemical responses (osmoprotective compound-prolin, membran damage-MDA) of rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties against stress factor at different concentrations (100, 200 and 300 mM NaCI). 2 local populations (Karacadağ, Hazro) and six rice varieties namely, Gala, Edirne, Şumnu, Neğiş, Tunca and Aromatik-1 were included in this study. As NaCI concentration increased, RWC decreased at different levels depending on the varieties, but the greatest decrease was detected in Gala (66%) and Karacadağ (74%). However, Tunca (85%) and Aromatik-1 (86%) were selected as the least affected varieties even at high NaCI concentration (300 mM). After 10 days of applications, the increase in proline (pro) content varied according to the varieties of rice and duration of application. When the malondialdehyde (MDA) contents of the varieties were examined, it was determined that Şumnu and Gala were highly affected even at 100 mM NaCI. Severe stress factor (300 mM NaCI) caused MDA increase in Tunca and Aromatik-1 but this increase were found higher in Karacadağ, Neğiş and Gala. As a result, when all parameters are evaluated Gala and Karacadağ was found a higher sensitivity while Tunca and Aromatik-1 had tolerant against salinity.