Effect of NaCl Salinity and Putrescine on Shoot Growth, Tissue Ion Concentration and Yield of Rice (Oryza sativa L. var. GR‐3)

Abstract

Abstract Interactive effect of NaCl salinity and putrescine on shoot growth, ion (Na + , K + and CI − ) concentration in leaf, stem and inflorescence and yield of rice (Oryza sativa L. var. GR‐3) were studied. When rice plants were subjected to salt stress (12 dS/m) the extension growth and dry weight of shoot system as well as total leaf area and chlorophyll content were found markedly reduced. Analysis of leaf, stem and inflorescence of salt‐stressed plants showed higher concentration of Na + and Cl ions and lower concentration of K + ion compared to the control. Salinization also caused a considerable fall in grain yield. Foliar application of putrescine (10 −5 M) significantly increased the growth and yield of salt‐stressed plants. Putrescine treatment decreased the influx of Na + and Cl − ions and increased the K + level in all the tissues of salinized plants examined. Putrescine also increased the chlorophyll content in salt‐stressed plants. These results suggest that exogenous application of putrescine can be used successfully to ameliorate the stress injuries caused by NaCl salinity in rice plants to a considerable extent.