Salinity stress alleviation by Zn as soil and foliar applications in two rice cultivars

Salinity is one of the main problems in agricultural soils. In order to study zinc (Zn) application effects (0, 10, 20 mg Zn kg(-1) soil and foliar application) on growth and nutrient uptake under salinity stress (3, 7, 10 dSm(-1)) in two rice cultivars (Tarom and Daylamani), the present work was conducted as a factorial arrangement based on a randomized complete design with three replications in greenhouse conditions. The results showed that Zn application under salinity stress promoted shoot and grain yield. The lowest and highest protein percent in every salinity and Zn levels belonged to Daylamani and Tarom cultivars, respectively. The results showed that the more Zn applied, the more Zn accumulated in the shoots and grain. Generally, based on the results Zn application in low and moderate salinity levels promotes the growth and yield of the rice and Daylamani cultivar showed more endurance to salinity than Tarom cultivar.