tolerant, while at 15 dS m-1 all the varieties were susceptible
and at 10 dS m-1 the cultivars showed intermediate tolerance.
Conclusion
It was concluded that germination and early seedling growth
of different rice varieties were inhibited by increasing salt
concentration. No seed was germinated at 20 dS m-1. In
respect to final germination percentage, speed of germination
and germination energy of four varieties namely,
MR 211, MR 232, BR 40 and IR20 was found superior at
12 dS m-1 salt concentration level compared to check
variety Pokkal. Based on the performance of early seedling
dry weight (both plumule + radicle), reduction per
centage of the variety MR211and IR-20 showed salt
tolerant at 4 dS m-1 salinity level, moderately salt tolerant
at 8 dS m-1 salinity level, moderately susceptible at 12 dS
m-1 salinity level and susceptible at 16 dS m-1 salinity
level. While the variety MR 232 showed moderately
tolerant at 4 d Sm-1 salinity level, moderately susceptible
at 8 and 12 dS m-1 salinity level and susceptible at 16 dS
m-1 salinity level.