To evaluate tolerance of rice genotypes (Oryza sativa L.) to soil/water salinity and to utilize selected tolerant genotypes in rice breeding program and further agronomy and physilogical studies 56 rice genotypes have been evaluated. Of which 40 rice genotypes from International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) together with 16 selected tolerant rice genotypes have been tested in two separate experiments in locations with coastal and in-land salinity sources in Sari and Amol, Mazandaran, Iran, respectively during 2006-7. Experiments were set in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 replications in each site. Genotypes were evaluated for salinity code, plant height, tiller number, panicle sterility, 100-grain weight, grain yield/plant. Due to photoperiod sensitivity of some rice genotypes in experiment 1, data only for salinity code, plant height and tiller number has been analysed. Results of analysis of variance showed presence of significantly difference for all evaluated traits. Based on results of the experiments and farmers preferance 4 rice genotypes including Binam, Hashemi, IR67075-2B-5-2 and IR67075-2B-18-2 showed better performance and has been selected for rice breeding program and further agronomy and physiological tests.
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