Abstract:
The present study was conducted to assess whether exogenously applied ascorbic acid (AsA) as a foliar spray could ameliorate the adverse effects of salt stress on rice plants. Rice cultivar IRRI-6 was grown under normal and saline conditions (4dSm-1, 8dSm-1, 12dSm-1 and 16dSm-1). There were twenty five treatments and six replicate pots per treatment. Different levels of AsA (0, 100, 200, and 300 mgL-1) were applied as a foliar spray three weeks before mid harvest. Salt stress reduced the chlorophyll concentration, shoot and root dry and fresh weights as well as yield and its components including: panicle number per plant, seed number per panicle, seed yield per plant. Application of 300 mgL-1 of AsA caused an increase in biomass as root and shoots fresh and dry weights both under saline and none saline conditions. Rate of photosynthesis increased with foliar application of AsA both under saline and none saline conditions. Similarly, stomatal conductance was also improved due to exogenous application of AsA both in stress and nonstress conditions particularly at 200 and 300 mgL-1. In contrast, rate of transpiration remained unchanged due to foliar application of AsA in both saline and none saline conditions.
Page(s):
33-40
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Biologia, Volume: 57, Issue: 1--2, Year: 2011