Abstract:
Studying of expression dynamics of salt
responsive candidate genes under different
genetic background of rice is important to
develop resilient salt tolerant rice varieties.
The present study was focused to assess the
comparative expression of salinity
responsive genes which are involved in
Na+
/K+
homeostasis (OsNHX1), signal
transduction pathway (OsMAPK5,
OsCDPK7) and synthesis of osmoprotectant
(OsTPS1). Comparative expression of
selected genes were assessed in At354
(improved), Godawee (traditional) and
Kuruwi Perunel (traditional), salinity
tolerant varieties and Suwandel, a salinity
susceptible traditional variety. The
assessment was done before salinization (at 0
h) and after salinization at 24 h and 72 h
using semi-quantitative Reverse
Transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR). RT-PCR
products were analysed using 1.5% agarose
gel electrophoresis. Resulted gel profiles
were assessed and relative level of gene
expression was measured based on the
intensity of the PCR product in terms of
average pixel values. Relative level of gene
expression in four varieties was plotted
against the exposure time to salinity.
Accordingly, marked variation in expression
pattern of the selected genes was detected in
four varieties over the tested in Godawee and
Suwandel compared to At354 and Kuruwi
Perunel. At 24 h, all four genes were up
