Physiological, biochemical and gene expression studies of salinity stress response and tolerance in local rice varieties of Sarawak, Malaysia

Rice is a staple food in a wide range of population. However, it is challenging to maintain rice as an affordable food source as it required a large amount of fresh water to cultivate. Meanwhile, Sarawak comprises many local rice varieties that could be cultivated with less input of fresh water, and thus, more tolerance to salt stress. In this study, the physiological, biochemical and gene expressions responses of these rice species upon salt stress exposure were investigated. Relative to commercial rice variety, a local variety named ‘Biris’ is more salt tolerance while ‘Bajong’ is more salt responsive.