*WATER DEFICIT STRESS IN THE REPRODUCTIVE STAGE OF
FOUR INDICA RICE (ORYZA SATIVA L.) GENOTYPES
Relative water content (RWC) in the leaf of different rice cultivars dropped significantly in
relation to reduced soil water content (SWC), especially in PT1 and IR20. In contrast, the proline
content in the leaf-blade and leaf-sheath increased The RWC was positively related to chlorophyll degradation. Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total
chlorophyll, total carotenoids, maximum quantum yield of PSII, stomatal conductance and water
use efficiency in rice grown under water-deficit conditions declined significantly in comparison to
the control group, leading to a reduction in net-photosynthetic rate.