Polyethylene glycol mediated drought stress impacts on germination, growth and accumulation of proline in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Drought is one of the major stress factors affecting growth and development plants, responsible for considerable crop yield losses worldwide. An experiment was conducted to compare three rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties (BRRI dhan49, BRRI dhan71 dhan75) drought tolerance based on some parameters physiological status in germination stage. imposed by five levels polyethylene glycol (PEG) (0%, 10%, 15%, 20% 25%). Rice showed good with PEG concentration up 15%. At concentration, a sharp reduction percentage observed highest (55.53%) found variety dhan71. Seeds all treated 25% did not germinate. Seedling terms plumule radicle length, fresh weight dry decreased increasing varieties. Among varieties, be best at seedling growth. treatments length vigor index rice, whereas were obtained from Accumulation proline increased along increase concentration. The accumulation (3.08 mmol g-1 leaf) higher treatment (20% PEG). This result suggests that performance under because its own nature tolerance. SAARC J. Agric., 20(1): 107-119 (2022)