EFFECT OF SOME CATIONS AND GROWTH REGULATORS ON SALINITY TOLERANCE OF SOME RICE CULTIVARS

Abstract

This work aimed to investigate the effect of different levels of sodium chloride, potassium chloride or calcium chloride on germination; growth and yield of two Egyptian rice cultivars, namely 1861 (salt tolerant) and Giza 171 (salt sensitive). Calcium chloride, potassium chloride and/or benzyladenine (BA) were used in a trial to alleviate the deleterious effects of salts stress on the plants during different stages of growth. 1- During the early stages of growth:

50mM sodium chloride, potassium chloride or calcium chloride, stimulated radicle elongation of the tolerant variety; a • response that slightly faded (calcium) or dropped to the control level (potassium) with increased level to I50mM

Potassium or calcium salts stimulated the plumule length of either rice varieties (tolerant and sensitive). Coupling K or Ca with Na counteracted the suppressive effects of the latter on radicle and