Salinity stress and Rhizoctonia solani pose significant threats to global rice production; however, their interactive effects on rice plants remain underexplored. This study aimed to determine the combined effects of different salt (NaCl) levels and R. solani (Kuhn) infection on selected growth and yield attributes of O. sativa. Faro44, Faro52 and Jamila rice varieties were subjected to varying NaCl concentrations and R. solani infection under screen house conditions, utilizing a Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD) and Two-Way ANOVA was employed for data analysis. The results revealed that higher NaCl concentrations and R. solani infection retarded plant height, with the number of tillers and leaves being significantly affected. The lowest mean values occurred at a salinity level of 8 dS m-1; whereas highest values occurred at 4 dS m-1 and 6 dS m-1. The 100 seed weight varied depending on the NaCl concentration, with the lowest seed weight observed at 8 dS m-1 and 6 dS m-1 in Faro44 and the highest seed weight observed at 4 dS m-1. The grain length was found to be at its minimum when exposed to 8 dS m-1, while grain diameter exhibited its smallest size at 8 dS m-1 of salt levels. Variations in NaCl concentrations significantly influenced the number of panicles and length of panicles (NP and LP), and number of grains panicle-1. The lowest values were recorded at 8 dS m-1, whereas the highest values were observed at 0 dS m-1 and 2 dS m-1. The study found that, in rice plants infected by R. solani, growth and yield are further diminished under saline conditions, emphasizing the complex interaction between abiotic and biotic stressors in rice.
Growth, Rice, Salinity, Sheath Blight, Yield