Modern 

Agricultural Science and Technology (ISSN: 2375-9402)

January 2023, Volume 9, No. 1, pp.
Doi:10.15341/mast(2375-9402)/01.09.2023/001
Academic Star Publishing Company, 2023
www.academicstar.us

1Combination of salinity and submergence reduce the yield and quality of salt-tolerant
varieties in Ilocos
Anielyn Y. Alibuyog, Melvin S. Andres, Ahlfie James G. Galanza, Reynaldo C. Castro, and Nenita V. Desamero
Philippine Rice Research Institute, Philippines

Abstract:

Saline-affected areas in the Philippines are continuously aggravated by climate change.

This condition possess threat in rice production limiting crop productivity. To alleviate the
impact of soil salinity, varietal improvement has been taken leading to the development of
numerous salt-tolerant varieties. Hence, this study aimed test the effect of salinity to yield
and grain quality of 25 salt-tolerant varieties. Two field setups (saline and non-saline
environment) were established in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur in 2019 wet season. The
experiments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design in three replications.
The field setup was exposed to high salinity (0.6- 6.0dS m-1) with partial to full submergence
during tillering stage. Results showed that crop yield was reduced by 42-76% which was
correlated to lower survival rate (52-95%) of entries due to combined effects of salinity and
submergence. Among the tested varieties, Salinas 1, 16, and 21 significantly outyielded the
check with 19-28% yield advantage. Productive tillers, number of filled grains, and seed
weight were reduced by 19%, 13.6%, and 15.4%, respectively. Plant height was reduced by
18.8%, with delayed heading (16 days) and maturity by 8 days. A decline in milled rice
recovery by 1-7% and chalky grains by 24-91%. Shorter grains (1-7%) and apparently lower
amylose content (0.2-6.7%) was observed under saline condition. Thus, salinity reduces rice
grain yield, agronomic parameters, and other grain quality traits. However, this was
compensated with increased value of produce due to improved chalk grains and amylose
content.

Key words: soil salinity, submergence, grain quality,

amylose content
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1. Introduction

The Philippines, as an archipelago surrounded by waters, saline affected areas are dominant in rice fields within
the coastlines. Although areas are small compared to other countries in the South and Southeast Asia, it is still a
potential and important resource base for the production of rice and other related staple food. There are 400,000
ha of coastal saline soils in the Philippines, of which 100,000 ha are mangroves, 175,000 ha are in fishponds, and
125,000 ha are idle. About 70,000 ha of rice production are in Bicol and Cagayan Valley are potentially affected
by saline water intrusion, thereby needing special attention and improvement (PhilRice, 2016). Areas are
projected to increase through the years due to climate change.

Salt-water intrusion usually occurs when seawater enters the river systems during high tide. The intrusion reaches
further inland in rivers with slow-moving flow which is now common due to siltation. Salt-water intrusion also
occurs in groundwater along the coast, aggravated by intensive drawing of groundwater for irrigation. With the
escalating pressure on land use resulting from the increasing rice demand by the ballooning population, the salt-
affected regions are potential expansion production areas if productivity is enhanced with appropriate practices
and technologies.

Crop response to salt stress depends on crop growth stage, and duration and intensity of stress (Ali et al., 2004;
Hariadi et al., 2015; Hussain et al., 2012, 2013; Zeng and Shannon, 2000). Rice is a widely grown cereal
especially in Asia (Muthayya et al., 2014) but is moderately salt tolerant (Rahman et al., 2016; Xiong et al., 2014).
Seedling stage and panicle initiation (PI) to flowering stages are the most sensitive to saline stress. According to
Lopez (2001), if salinity level rises to 7.2 dSm-1 at seedling stage, yield may be reduced from 28.3 to 100%. On
the other hand, yield reduction of 80% to 100% may be observed if salinity reaches 6 to 8 dSm-1 at reproductive
phase (PI to flowering). If critical levels do not fall at the most sensitive stages of rice, salinity impacts on the rice
growth and yield may not be that significant, especially if coupled with appropriate crop management.

To mitigate the impact of soil salinity, new varieties with improved traits were developed. The development
of salt-tolerant “Salinas” varieties provided hope to farmers in saline-affected areas. At present, 35 cultivars
are registered and released by the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) for farmers’ use. However,
understanding how these varieties respond to salinity is very crucial to develop appropriate cultural
management practices for rice in saline soils. Likewise, determining the effect of salt stress on the rice grain
quality (milling and market quality, cooking and eating quality, and nutrition of rice) can also be an absolute
key in choosing the right variety.

2. Material and Methods

This study determined the performance of 25 registered salt-tolerant varieties (Salinas 1 to 25) and compared
to check variety, PSB Rc 82. The experiment was carried out in in Brgy. Suso for saline (17º21’33.22” N,
120º27’46.40” E) and Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC) campus for non-saline condition
(17º22’06.21” N, 120º28’34.05” E) in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur in 2019 wet season cropping (Fig. 1). This was
laid out using the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in three replications.


Corresponding author: Anielyn Y. Alibuyog, Melvin S. Andres, Ahlfie James G. Galanza, Reynaldo C. Castro,
and Nenita V. Desamero
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The cultural management for the field setups were based on the recommended technologies for saline areas in
“Management of Salt-Affected Soils for Rice Production” (PhilRice Techno Bulletin, Series No. 40, 2001 and 77,
2011). Seedlings were planted following the recommended seedling age of 25 DAS at a 20cm x 20cm planting
distance. Golden apple snails (GAS) were managed immediately after transplanting with the application of
molluscicide (granules). Replanting a week after transplanting was done to replace missing hills.

Zinc sulfate (2 kg per 400m 2) was applied at the seedbed to prevent deficiency problem. Phosphorus and
Potassium were applied as basal fertilizers using 14-14-14-12S while the remaining N came from 46-0-0.
Fertilizers were applied blanket in three splits: basal (10 DAT), 1st topdress (25), and 2nd topdress (7 days before
visible panicle initiation). To provide a favorable condition for the plants, application of fertilizer was done only
when salinity level was less than 4dS/m. The fertilizer rate of 80-30-60 kg NPK/ha which is based on a 4 t/ha
yield target was followed.

Soil characterization was also done in the experimental site at the start of the study. Physical and chemical
properties were determined through laboratory soil analysis. The soil and water salinity status in the study site
was also monitored and measured at various sampling points throughout the growth period of the crop. This
activity was done to provide baseline information on the spatial and temporal variability of salinity as affected by
the hydrology of the area in relation to the phenology of the rice crop. Water salinity level of the rice paddy was
measured using an EC meter and/or densitometer.

Agronomic characters, yield, and yield components were also gathered. The survival rates of entries including the
seedling and vegetative vigor were recorded accordingly. Similarly, 300g of grain samples per plot were analyzed
in the laboratory following the National Cooperative Testing (NCT) standard protocols for milling recovery,
physical attributes, and physico-chemical properties.

3. Results and Discussion

[1]3.1 Soil characteristics

The project site in Ilocos Sur is under Bantog Clay soil series. The pH of the soil samples collected in 2019WS
ranged from 7.34 to 7.93, indicating slightly alkaline condition. Marginal level of organic matter and adequate
Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) were present in the soil. High amount of Chlorine (Cl) and Sodium (Na) were
also observed which means that the area is salt-affected as Na and Cl together formed Sodium Chloride (NaCl)
which hinder growth and development of plants when present in high amounts. Magnesium (Mg) and Calcium
(Ca) levels were also high. These two elements impede the absorption of Potassium ion because they easily fix
this element and replace it.
[2]3.2 Salinity dynamics

The salinity in 2019WS ranged from 0.6 dS/m to 6.0 dS/m (Figure 1). The entries were also exposed to partial
submergence at early and active tillering, and at booting stage. The exposure of the entries to submergence
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followed by salinity rises above the threshold level at early tillering stage resulted to lower survival rate of some
of the entries.

Table 1. Comparison of physical and chemical soil properties in the field setups. Courtesy of Bureau of Soils and Water
Management and Office of Provincial Agriculturist of Ilocos Norte.
Parameters Saline Non-saline
Texture light light
pH 7.67 7.34
OM (%) 1.54 1.48
Nitrogen (%) 0.08 0.07
Phosphorus (ppm) 13.49 42.91
Potassium (ppm) 712.12 386.95
CEC (cmolc/kg soil) 28.24 -
Na (cmolc/kg soil) 8.37 -
K (cmolc/kg soil) 2.22 -
Ca (cmolc/kg soil) 10.40 -
Mg (cmolc/kg soil) 11.85 -
Fe (ppm) 44.00 -
Zn (ppm) 0.63 -
Cu (ppm) 7.33 -
Mn (ppm) 19.33 -
Cl (ppm) 967.00 -

Vegetative Reproductive Ripening

7.00
Submergence
Salinity level dS/m

6.00
5.00
4.00 Salinity
Threshold
3.00
2.00
1.00
0.00

Days after transplanting (DAT)

Fig. 1 Salinity dynamics in the experimental site in association with the crop phenology.

Rice crop is sensitive to high salinity at seedling stage, with inherent some level of tolerance at vegetative, sensitive
at reproductive stage, very sensitive at PI to Flowering and less sensitive at grain filling and ripening. It can be noted
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that there was a submergence at tillering stage which also coincided with the rise in the salinity readings. The
combination of salinity and submergence stress caused high mortality rates in some of the plots, hence, lower yield.

[3]3.3 Crop performance

In 2019WS, the recorded yield reduction due to salt-stress was 57% across the varieties tested. Reduced yield
was attributed by smaller plant population per plot due to poor crop survival. Salinas 6 showed the highest yield
reduction with 76% while PSB Rc82 was only 54%. Compared to check, three varieties (Salinas 1, 16, and 21)
produced significantly higher yield under saline condition. Likewise, five varieties (Salinas 8, 14, 21, 24, and
25) outyielded the check under non-stress condition.

Significant variations in grain yield as affected by growing environments and their interactions were observed in rice
varieties evaluated under saline and non-saline environments. The Salinas and check varieties yielded more with
3702 to 5209 kg ha-1, averaging 4438±SD kg ha-1 under non-saline, compared with saline environment, where the
yield ranged from 966 to 2585 kg ha -1 and 1917±SD kg ha-1 average yield (Table 6a and 6b). With salinity, the yield
was reduced by 42% (Salinas 16) to 76% (Salinas 6), with 57±8% average reduction. Only five varieties, viz.,
Salinas 1, 3, 5, 10 and 16, of the 26 entries (19%) evaluated had yield reduced by less than 50% under saline
environment. Meanwhile, the survival rate under saline environment ranged from 51% to 96% vs. 100% under the
non-saline environment. The lower survival rate of the entries under saline environment contributed to the varieties’
lower yield.

Comparing with the check variety PSB Rc 82, under non-saline, five varieties, viz., Salinas 8, 14, 21, 24, and 25,
outyielded the check by 8% to 20%, while with salinity, only three varieties, Salinas 1, 16, and 21, outperformed the
check by 20% to 28%.

Not only grain yield was adversely affected by salinity, but also the agronomic characteristics and yield components
of the varieties as shown in Tables 7a-c. Productive tillers and number of filled grains were reduced by 19% and
13.6%, respectively. Significant reduction in the seed weight was also observed, with 15.4%. In terms of the
agronomic characteristics, plants were taller by 18.8% under saline, with delayed heading and maturity day by 18.8
% or 16 days and 7.1 % or 8 days, respectively.
Table 5. Yield advantage of Salinas varieties over check and yield reduction in saline compared with non- saline
environment from variety trials in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur, 2019 WS.
Yield advantage (%) over Yield reduction across
YIELD (kg)
VARIETIES PSB Rc 82 environments
Non-saline Saline Non-saline Saline kg %
Salinas 1 4691 ns
2585 *
8.01 28.16 2106 45
Salinas 2 4497 ns
1856 ns
3.55 -7.98 2641 59
Salinas 3 3954 ns
2012 ns
-8.96 -0.25 1942 49
Salinas 4 4389 ns
1967 ns
1.06 -2.48 2422 55
Salinas 5 4369 ns
2242 ns
0.60 11.16 2127 49
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Table 5. Yield advantage of Salinas varieties over check and yield reduction in saline compared with non- saline
environment from variety trials in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur, 2019 WS.
Yield advantage (%) over Yield reduction across
YIELD (kg)
VARIETIES PSB Rc 82 environments
Non-saline Saline Non-saline Saline kg %
Salinas 6 4082 ns
966 ns
-6.01 -52.11 3116 76
Salinas 7 3702 ##
1492 ns
-14.76 -26.03 2210 60
Salinas 8 4691 *
1408 ns
8.01 -30.19 3283 70
Salinas 9 4068 ns
1488 ns
-6.33 -26.23 2580 63
Salinas 10 3918 ##
1996 ns
-9.79 -1.04 1922 49
Salinas 11 4785 ns
2021 ns
10.18 0.20 2764 58
Salinas 12 4660 ns
2053 ns
7.30 1.78 2607 56
Salinas 13 4728 ns
1745 ns
8.86 -13.49 2983 63
Salinas 14 4983 **
1666 ns
14.74 -17.40 3317 67
Salinas 15 4042 ns
1652 ns
-6.93 -18.10 2390 59
Salinas 16 4356 ns
2529 *
0.30 25.38 1827 42
Salinas 17 4726 ns
1732 ns
8.82 -14.13 2994 63
Salinas 18 4179 ns
2002 ns
-3.78 -0.74 2177 52
Salinas 19 4148 ns
2057 ns
-4.49 1.98 2091 50
Salinas 20 4521 ns
1804 ns
4.10 -10.56 2717 60
Salinas 21 4821 *
2406 *
11.01 19.29 2415 50
Salinas 22 4279 ns
1619 ns
-1.47 -19.73 2660 62
Salinas 23 4539 ns
2241 ns
4.51 11.11 2298 51
Salinas 24 5209 **
2013 ns
19.94 -0.20 3196 61
Salinas 25 4715 *
2272 ns
8.57 12.64 2443 52
PSB Rc82 4343 -
2017 -
0.00 0.00 2326 54
Pr >F 0.0000 -
0.0668
Std Dev. 361.46 364.42
CV % 7.33 13.76
Average 4438 -
1917 -
- - - 57
Maximum 5209 2585 -
- - - 76
Minimum 3702 966 47
In a column, means marked with ns
is not significantly different over the check (PSB Rc 82), * and ** is
significantly higher than PSB Rc 82, while # and ## is significantly lower using HSD test.

Correlation between grain yield and agronomic traits across environments

In saline environment, the grain yield of the plants exposed to the stress depends largely on the rate of plant
survival until maturity and harvest, with relatively high recorded association (ρ=0.5994) in Salinas varieties
evaluated in Brgy. Suso (Table 8).
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In non-saline and saline environments, with the absence or presence of salinity stress, respectively, plant height
and number of filled grains per panicle obtained from Salinas varieties, were the common traits which correlated
positively with grain yield (Table 8). Taller varieties, which developed more filled grains per panicle produced
high grain yield in either saline or non-saline environment. The yield and harvest index correlated positively
under non-saline but not in saline environment.

Heading, maturity, productive tillers per hill had contrasting effect on yield depending on environment, positive in
non-saline and negative effect under saline condition. In the absence of stress, although the association is
relatively weak, late heading and maturing of varieties and those which produced more productive tillers per hill
were inclined to be high yielding. In contrast, when exposed to salinity stress, high yields were obtained from
varieties which headed early and produced less productive tillers per hill.

Under saline environment, varieties which produced longer panicles tended to yield high. The number of tillers
produced per unit area was not significantly associated with yield under saline and non-saline environment. The
percentage filled grains per panicle recorded negative association in the absence of salinity stress, but not at all
associated with yield in the presence of stress. The 1000-seed weight had significant positive contribution to yield
under saline but not correlated with yield in non-saline condition.

Salinity affects grain filling and development

Grain yield correlated significantly positive with 1000-seed weight under saline but no association in the absence
of salinity, implying that seed weight is a determining factor more of for yield under stress condition. Seed
weight had weak but significant positive correlation with percent filled grains (ρ=0.2986, Pr>F=0.0079) and
harvest index (ρ=0.2483, Pr>F=0.0284) in saline but not in non-saline environment. Relatively stronger
association between harvest index and yield was observed under non-saline than saline environment.

A significant location x variety interaction (Pr>F=0.0030) was obtained for percent filled grains. A significant but
weak negative correlation (ρ=-0.2973, Pr>F=0.0082) of yield with percent filled grains was recorded under non-
saline environment (Table 8). The percent filled grain is a function of the total spikelet, filled and unfilled grains
produced per panicle in a variety. It implies that even in the absence of stress, some varieties evaluated with high
percentage of filled grains may have fewer unfilled and lower total (filled + unfilled) grains per panicle, resulting
to lower grain yield when compared with varieties having lower percent filled grains, but with higher values for
filled grains contributing to the total grains per panicle. Such negative correlation of grain yield with percent
filled grains per panicle was not observed under saline condition. Although with salinity stress, the values for the
number and percent filled grains per panicle were lower than with those under non-saline environment. Under
salinity stress, the number of filled grains per panicle ranged from 73 to 113 with 89±SD average, compared with
81 to 127 with 103±SD average for varieties under non-saline environment (Table 39b). The percent filled grains
follows similar trend of lower values under saline ranging from 70 to 92, with 80±SD average, compared with 72
to 91, with 84±SD average values for varieties evaluated under non-saline environment.
Determinants of Harvest Index
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Harvest index has been reported to be an important determining factor for yield in rice. A positive association of
harvest index with yield was obtained in Salinas varieties evaluated under non-saline environment (Table 9). In
saline environment, with the varieties which experienced stress, the harvest index values increased with the values
for filled grains per panicle, percent filled grains per panicle, and 1000-seed weight, as manifested in the positive
and significant correlations obtained. Negative association of harvest index with heading, maturity, productive
tillers per m2 was obtained under saline environment. The number of productive tillers per m 2 in non-saline was
positively correlated with harvest index, which was negative in saline environment. The varied associations
between harvest index and other traits of interest across environments can be attributed to various factors affecting
vegetative biomass and grain production, and prevailing growing conditions during the conduct of the
experiments.

Table 8. Comparative correlations between yield and agronomic traits and yield components of rice varieties
evaluated under non-saline (ISPSC) and saline (Brgy. Suso) environments, Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur,
2019WS.
NON-SALINE SALINE
Trait Correlation p-value Correlation p-value
coefficient (ρ) coefficient (ρ)
Plant Survival Rate (%) - - 0.5994 0.0000
Plant height (cm) 0.3115 0.0055 0.4385 0.0001
Heading (DAS) 0.2980 0.0081 -0.2682 0.0176
Maturity (DAS 0.3744 0.0007 -0.1054 0.3584
Productive tillers per hill (no.) 0.2532 0.0253 -0.6176 0.0000
2
Productive tillers per m (no) 0.1312 0.2523 0.2122 0.0635
Panicle Length (cm) 0.1299 0.2571 0.2677 0.0178
Filled grains per panicle (no.) 0.2472 0.0291 0.2759 0.0145
Percent filled grains per panicle (%) -0.2973 0.0082 0.0981 0.3929
1000-Seed weight (g) 0.0452 0.6943 0.3929 0.0004
Harvest index 0.3228 0.0039 0.2166 0.0568
Note: ρ=rho, Pearson correlation coefficient
Pr>F = 0.01- highly significant, Pr>F = 0.05- significant
Linear relationship: very strong (0.8-1.0), strong (0.6-0.79), moderate (0.4-0.59), weak (0.2-0.39), and very
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weak (0.0-0.19)

Table 9. Comparative correlations between harvest index and agronomic traits and yield components of rice
varieties evaluated under non-saline (ISPSC) and saline (Brgy. Suso) environments, Sta. Maria,
Ilocos Sur, 2019WS.
Non-saline Saline
Correlation Correlation
Variable
coefficient (ρ) p-value coefficient p-value
(ρ)
Yield (kg/ha) 0.3228 0.0039 0.2166 0.0568
Plant height (cm) 0.0737 0.5214 0.2203 0.0526
Heading (DAS) -0.2005 0.0784 -0.4297 0.0001
Maturity (DAS -0.0175 0.8794 -0.2668 0.0182
Productive tillers per hill (no.) 0.0946 0.4102 -0.1646 0.1498
2
Productive tillers per m (no) 0.3236 0.0039 -0.2204 0.0525
Panicle Length (cm) -0.1810 0.1128 0.1558 0.1732
Filled grains per panicle (no.) 0.2013 0.0772 0.2604 0.0213
Percent filled grains per panicle 0.0006 0.9956 0.4209 0.0001
(%)
1000-Seed weight (g) -0.1289 0.2607 0.2483 0.0284
Note: ρ=rho, correlation coefficient
Pr>F = 0.01- highly significant, Pr>F = 0.05- significant
Linear relationship: very strong (0.8-1.0), strong (0.6-0.79), moderate (0.4-0.59), weak (0.2-0.39), and
very weak (0.0-0.19)

Correlation between plant survival and crop response in saline environment

Plant survival under salinity stress is crucial for a successful crop establishment and maintenance until maturity
and harvest. Plant survival is a function of inherent tolerance of a variety to stresses they are exposed to. The
crop established in Brgy. Suso was exposed to salinity and then to intermittent partial and complete submergence
just after transplanting for a period of one week. The plant survival rates in saline-prone paddy in Brgy. Suso
ranged from 51% to 96% with 78±13% average (Table 6b). A strong significant positive correlation (ρ=0.5994)
between survival rate and grain yield was observed among varieties evaluated in saline environment (Table 8).
The four varieties with at least 90% surviving plants were among the high yielding entries which yielded more
than 2.0 t/ha under stress. These were Salinas 5 (96% survival rate), 1 (90%), 16 (95%) and 21(90%) (Table 6b).
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The varieties with high yield under saline were not necessarily the top yielding in non-stressed environment. It is
worth mentioning though, except Salinas 21, which had high survival rate (90%) and yielded well in both saline
(2.406 t/ha) and non-saline (4.821 t/ha) environment, maintaining rank 3 in the three variables. The varieties with
low number of surviving plants under stress, having less than 60% survival and yielding less than 2.0 t/ha were
Salinas 9 (51% survival rate), 14 (52%) and 20 (55%).

Survival rate was negatively correlated with heading (ρ=-0.5002) and maturity (ρ=-0.4575) (Table 10). It is
speculated that fewer surviving plants were induced to produce more secondary and tertiary tillers using up more
energy for vegetative growth rather than for panicle development, resulting in the delay of heading and maturity.
A delay in heading is tantamount to result in late maturity (ρ=0.6563). The varieties Salinas 9, 14 and 20 with low
(less than 60%) survival matured in 122, 124 and 125 DAS, respectively, while those with at least 90% surviving
plants, viz., Salinas 1, 5, 16, and 21, matured in 118, 121, 119 and 122 DAS, respectively (Table 7b).

Low survival rate resulted in fewer plants producing more productive tillers per hill (Table 7b), attributed to the
compensatory effect of having lesser number of plants competing for sunlight, water and nutrients. This response
was manifested in the highly significant negative correlation (ρ=-0.5694) between survival and tiller production
per hill (Table 10). The stress induced increase in tiller production per hill seemed not to completely compensate
the effect of reduced number of plants per unit area. Survival rate, in contrast, was positively correlated with
productive tillers per unit area (m2), contributing to higher yield in some varieties. High survival rate resulted in
higher percent filled grains per panicle in some varieties as implicated in weak but significant correlation
(ρ=0.2557) between the two variables.

Table 10. Comparative correlations between plant survival rate (%) and agronomic traits and yield
components of rice varieties evaluated under non-saline (ISPSC) and saline (Brgy. Suso)
environments, Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur, 2019WS.
Parameters Correlation coefficient (ρ) p-value
Yield (t/ha) 0.5994 0.0000
Plant height (cm) 0.1290 0.2602
Heading (DAS) -0.5002 0.0000
Maturity (DAS -0.4575 0.0000
Productive tillers per hill (no.) -0.5694 0.0000
2
Productive tillers per m (no) 0.2481 0.0285
Panicle Length (cm) -0.0510 0.6574
Filled grains per panicle (no.) -0.0547 0.6342
Percent filled grains per panicle (%) 0.2557 0.0238
1000-Seed weight (g) 0.2186 0.0545
Harvest index 0.0813 0.4791
Pr>F = 0.01- highly significant, Pr>F = 0.05- significant
Linear relationship: very strong (0.8-1.0), strong (0.6-0.79), moderate (0.4-0.59), weak (0.2-0.39), and
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very weak (0.0-0.19)

3.3 Effects of salt-stress on the grain quality of rice

The response of different varieties varied also in terms of grain quality traits. Characteristics such as milling
recovery, physical, and physicochemical properties of rice grains determined the marketability and acceptability
of these varieties.

Milling Recovery of rice varieties across environments

Table 14 showed the milling recovery consisting of brown rice (%), milled rice (%), and head rice (%).
Significant variation among treatments both under non-saline and saline environments were observed. Among
varieties evaluated, Salinas 1 had significantly higher percent brown rice over the check variety, PSB Rc82 in the
two growing environments with comparable values of 81.6% and 81.1 % for non-saline and saline condition,
respectively. Moreover, no significant differences observed across environments. In average, % brown rice in
non-saline environment was slightly higher than the saline (78.4 + 1.05 vs. 78.2 + 1.05), however, values were
still comparable (Table 14). This indicates that salt stress did not adversely affect brown rice production of saline-
tolerant rice varieties and PSB Rc 82. All entries across environments met the brown rice NCT standard, having
Fair (F) to Good (G) classification.

However, entries were significantly different in terms of percent milled rice and head rice under non-saline and
saline conditions (Table 11). Higher percent milled rice was observed from Salinas 1, 6, 19, and 20 under non-
saline environment while Salinas 1 and 19 under saline environment. Across environments, minimal difference in
terms of average percent milled rice (non-saline: 70.8% vs. 68.1%) and head rice (non-saline: 52.8% vs. 52.1%),
which signifies slightly higher % milled rice and head rice without salt stress. It can be noted that all entries in
both environments met the NCT standard for milled rice (Grade 1 (G1) to Premium (Pr).

Higher percent head rice was observed from Salinas 1, 5, 6, 8, 12, 20, and 24 under non-saline environment
compared to PSB Rc 82 while Salinas 1 and 12 produced significantly higher head rice over PSB Rc 82 under
saline environment. A total of 20 entries including the check variety met the NCT standard for % head rice in
each environment.

Overall, salinity affects only the percent milled rice of Salinas varieties and PSB Rc 82.

Physical attributes of rice varieties across environments

Physical characteristics of rice such as chalky grains (%), immature grains (%), grain length, width, and shape are
critical quality attributes as they affect the acceptance and marketability of a certain variety. In determining better
varieties using these parameters, it should have lesser percent of chalky and immature grains. Chalky grain is an
undesirable trait to a variety, affecting the physical appearance and eating quality causing a decrease in its value in
the market (Chun A. et al., 2009). Quality rice must have premium (Pr) to grade 1 (G1) which has the lowest
percentage of chalky grains.
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ANOVA showed a significant interaction between environment and varieties in terms of % chalky grains and
immature grains. Under non-saline condition, Salinas 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 produced significantly lower % chalky
grains than PSB Rc 82. Salinas 3 had premium classification, with 0.01% to 2.0% chalky and immature grains.
Most of the Salinas varieties had higher % chalky and immature grains than PSB Rc82.

However, under saline environment, Salinas 4, 7, and 25 had premium classification in terms of chalky grains.
On the other hand, percent immature grains were comparable between entries, having premium classification in
both environments.

Comparing across environments, it was found out that the entries under non-stress environments had significantly
higher chalky grains (%) compared to saline environment (Table 12). This reveals that salt-stress (salts in the soil)
reduces chalkiness of varieties, a positive attribute for varieties planted under saline environment.

Likewise physical attributes of rice such as grain length, width, and shape are not only influencing the grain
yield but also the physical appearance of grains and its quality for cooking and eating. Preferences in grain
dimensions (size and shape) are continentally-dependent, in short, it varies from one nation to another. For
example, rice with long and slender grains are more preferred by farmers and consumers in most of the Asian
countries like the Philippines while short and round grain varieties are more popular in Japan and South Korea
(Li et al., 2004).

Based from the results of the study, length, width, and shape of grains were significantly different among the test
varieties (Table 13). For grain length, longer grains were produced from non-saline (6.9mm+0.31) compared to
saline condition (6.7mm+0.61). In addition, varieties under non-stress produced medium (M) to extra-long (EL)
grains while short (Sh) to extra-long (EL) grains under saline environment. Salinas 2 (non-saline) and Salinas 15
(saline) had the longest grains among the entries.

In terms of grain width, more narrow grains were produced under saline environment with an average of 0.1mm
reduction in width due to salt-stress. But statistically, no significant differences observed across environments.
Among varieties, Salinas 1, 2, 5, 18, 21, and 25 had significantly wider seed dimension compared to PSB Rc 82 in
both environments.
Meanwhile, the length and width ratio (grain shape) of grains was ranged from bold to slender (non-saline) while
intermediate to slender for saline environment. It was also observed that some varieties were transformed from
bold to intermediate shape (Salinas 1) and from intermediate to slender grain shape (Salinas 7) however, it is not
significantly different across environments. Grain shape of entries under non-saline and saline conditions were
generally slender. Only Salinas 1 had bold grains, a genotype effect. However, due to salinity, narrower grain
width was observed in which grains were classified as intermediate.

Physicochemical properties of rice varieties across environments

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Amylose content is the most important grain quality of milled rice. It is primarily used in the prediction of the
eating quality of rice in terms of softness of cooked rice. The amylose content is positively correlated to the
hardness of cooked rice, which means that the higher the value, the harder the cooked rice, hence, less desirable
quality.

Growing environment and variety had significant interaction in terms of amylose content and gelatinization
temperature. Amylose content of the entries was higher under non-saline (22 + 2.64) than in saline (20 + 3.20)
environment. Generally, Salinas varieties planted in saline environment had softer texture when cooked. It means
that salt-stress reduced the amylose content of Salinas varieties.

Results showed that Salinas 20 (19%), 23 (18.3%), and 24 (15.3%) had lower amylose content over PSB Rc 82
(19.3%) under non-saline condition. However, more entries (Salinas 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22,
and 24) under saline condition that produced significantly lower amylose content than the PSB Rc 82. This means
that salt-stress condition can reduce the amylose content of milled rice producing a better quality, soft-textured
rice.

The cooking quality of rice is also associated with the starch gelatinization temperature (GT). The gelatinization
temperature of rice starch is defined as the temperature at which the starch granules take in water and lose their
crystalline nature. Under normal condition, 12 entries (Salinas 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, and 20) had
significantly lower alkali spreading value (ASV) than the check variety, majority of which have Intermediate (I)
classification. Moreover, only six entries namely: Salinas 3, 8, 12, 14, 22, and 23 had significantly lowers ASV
than the PSB Rc 82 under saline condition. In both environments, most of the entries belongs to mixed GT
classifications. It is also found out that varieties under non-saline which had higher amylose content had also
higher gelatinization temperature (Table 14).

In general, salinity affects the grain qualities of test entries primarily the milled rice recovery, grain length,
percent chalky grains, amylose content, and gelatinization temperature. However, the brown rice and head rice
recovery, grain width and shape (L/W) and percent immature grains were not significantly different across
growing environments (non-saline and saline).

In this study, salinity stress reduced the milled rice recovery by 1% to 7%, except for Salinas 11. Lower
percentage of milled rice was attributed to higher bran and hull weight under stress condition. Meanwhile, the
response of entries to salinity varied in terms of head rice recovery. Similar trend with milled rice was observed,
having more than a half of the entries (14) had reduced head rice (1% to 18%) but almost a half (12) increased by
2%-20%. Although Rao et al. (2013) concluded that salinity generally reduces percent head rice, the genotypes
used was different with the entries evaluated in this experiment.

On the other hand, percent (%) chalky grains of the entries (23/26) were also reduced by 24% to 91%, meaning
the quality increases as the chalkiness decline. This claim is supported by International Rice Research Institute
(IRRI), stating that the chalk in rice grains is undesirable. However, Ikehashi and Khush (1979) stated that
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chalkiness disappears upon cooking and has no direct effect on cooking and eating quality but influences
consumer preference and milling recovery.
Grain length was also affected by salinity, shorter grains (1% to 7%) were produced by the test entries under stress
condition compared to normal growing environment. No differences were observed from Salinas 11 and PSB Rc
82 whereas the grain length is similar across environment. Salinas 25 has also unique response to salinity where
grains are found to be longer by 2% (0.1 mm). Basically, the results revealed that the grain length was decreases
by 0.2mm which also corresponds with the results of the experiment conducted by Rao et al. (2013) indicating
that the grain length was significantly reduced even at low EC=4dS/m. Denis et al. (2005) also supports the claim
that salinity reduces the grain dimension which occurs during hull development.

Results also revealed that the amylose content (AC) of the test entries was apparently lower by 0.2% to 6.7% AC
under saline condition, except Salinas 23, 24, 25 and PSB Rc 82 with increased AC (1.3% to 3%). Knowing that
the amylose content is strongly influence the cooking and eating characteristics of rice, varieties with lower AC
produced under saline condition has greater potential for higher acceptability by consumers. This indicates that the
yield reduction and lower milling recovery due to salt-stress can be compensated by increasing the value of rice
produce due to higher quality (low chalk grains and amylose content).

Meanwhile, gelatinization temperature (GT) is an important component to cooking and eating quality of rice. Rice
grains with low, intermediate, and high GT shows complete disintegration, partial disintegration, and no effect in
the dilute alkali solution, respectively according to Little et al. (1958). There is also a positive correlation between
the GT and the time required to cook rice. In the study, majority of entries under saline condition had intermediate
(I) and intermediate-high (I/H) GT classification which are considered as high-quality rice as cited by Juliano
(1993).

4. Conclusion
The use of salt-tolerant varieties, known as the Salinas offers a potential solution in increasing rice productivity in
saline areas. However, the adaptability of these varieties to specific local condition has to be studied. It the
experiments conducted, it was found out that salinity is very dynamic affecting the rice crop in different degrees
depending on the level and timing of salinity, and other abiotic stresses such as the submergence. The salinity
level in the study site in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur was beyond the threshold level ranging from 0.6 dS/m to 6.0 dS/m
in 2019WS.

The combination of salinity and submergence imposes greater risks on the rice crop resulting to 52 to 95%
survival rate and an average yield of 1917±364.42 kg/ha. Yield reduction due to salinity ranged from 42 to 76% in
2019WS which was correlated with the lower survival rate due to the combination of salinity and submergence at
late seedling to early tillering stage of the varieties. The top yielding varieties were Salinas 1, 16, and 21,
significantly outyielding PSB Rc82, the check variety.

Agronomic plant characters including yield components of the test varieties was also adversely affected by
salinity. Productive tillers and number of filled grains were reduced by 19% and 13.6%, respectively. Significant
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reduction in the seed weight was also observed, with 15.4%. In terms of the agronomic characteristics, plants
were shorter by 18.8% under saline, with delayed heading and maturity day by 18.8 % or 16 days and 7.1 % or 8
days, respectively.

Salinity stress reduced the milled rice recovery by 1% to 7%, except for Salinas 11. Meanwhile, the response of
entries to salinity varied in terms of head rice recovery. On the other hand, percent (%) chalky grains of the entries
(23/26) were also reduced by 24% to 91%, meaning the quality increases as the chalkiness decline.

Grain length was also affected by salinity, shorter grains (1% to 7%) were produced by the test entries under stress
condition compared to normal growing environment. Basically, the results revealed that the grain length was
decreased by 0.2mm which also corresponds with the results of previous experiments.

Amylose content (AC) of the test entries was also apparently lower by 0.2% to 6.7% AC under saline condition,
except Salinas 23, 24, 25 and PSB Rc 82 with increased AC (1.3% to 3%). Knowing that the amylose content is
strongly influence the cooking and eating characteristics of rice, varieties with lower AC produced under saline
condition has greater potential for higher acceptability by consumers. This indicates that the yield reduction and
lower milling recovery due to salt-stress can be compensated by increasing the value of rice produce due to higher
quality (low chalk grains and amylose content).

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