Novel genetic sources of salinity tolerance in rice: molecular and physiological characterization

A diverse set of rice accessions was characterized for diversity using SNP markers and phenotyped to identify novel sources of salt tolerance. Three major clusters corresponding to indica, aus, and aromatic subgroups were identified. Pokkali accessions were in indica, as the largest subgroup, while Bangladeshi landraces were in a different sub-cluster.

Rahman et al. identified seven novel salt-tolerant landraces that are genetically and physiologically distinctive, providing sources for new QTLs/alleles for use to breed better salt tolerant varieties. The diversity observed suggests multiple mechanisms can be combined for higher salt tolerance.