Growth modulation, photosynthetic attributes and proline accumulation led enhancement to Oryza sativa (L.) seedlings exposed to NaCl stress

One of the main environmental factors that limits plant performance and lowers production is soil salinity, such as NaCl stress. Therefore, to cultivate salt-tolerant crops, it is essential to understand the physiological aspects of plant to NaCl stress and use the natural genetic resource linked with salt tolerance. Rice is relatively a salt-sensitive crop that shows a significant variation in metabolic activities towards NaCl salt stress. In this view, the present investigation was carried out to find the NaCl stress tolerance of rice (ASD-16) variety. The whole experiment was accomplished in pot culture under varying NaCl concentrations (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100mM). The salt stress was imposed on the 13th days after sowing and sampling were done after five days of treatment i.e, 18th DAS. Salt stress results in a decline in growth traits, biomass production, and also reduction in carotenoids and soluble protein contents were observed with hike in NaCl treatments. However, Chlorophyll a, b, (a+b), proline contents, were found to be increased under increasing NaCl concentrations. Thus, enhancing pigment constituents and osmolytes accumulation provides salinity stress tolerance to rice seedlings.