Salinity is one of the most widespread soil problem in rice growing countries and is considered as a serious constraint to increase rice production worldwide. The experiment was aimed at assessing the response of 30 rice genotypes to NaCl stress at four salinity levels Control, 4dS/m, 6dS/m and 12dS/m at early seedling stage. The genotypic responses were compared for shoot and root length and dry and fresh weight. All morphological parameters exhibited some reductions under increased salinity levels at seedling stage. A total of 10 genotypes (including Pokkali, IR64, NERICA L12, CK73) were found to be tolerant at all salinity level. The multiple correlation coefficients (R2) at 6dS/m was 34.5% and 12dS/m was 52.8%. The study clearly demonstrates that the effect of salinity depends on the duration of salt stress and that rice genotypes are more affected by salinity levels at 12ds/m and above.

Keywords: Morphological parameters, multiple correlation co efficient, rice genotypes, seedling stage, salinity stress