Rice seedling tolerance of salinity and anoxic conditions

Rice (Oryza sativa) can germinate and emerge from anoxic, flooded soils. Salinity, however, compromises seedling establishment. Kurniasih et al. assess the energy requirements for ion regulation in rice coleoptiles during combined salinity and anoxia.

Salinity (50 mM NaCl) resulted in a modest (13–15%) increase in ATP production in anoxia. Energy savings were also achieved by a reduction in coleoptile growth and ion fluxes. The study highlights the importance of the ion transport mechanisms employed for tolerance of saline-anoxic conditions.