SACCHARIDE CONTENT AND GROWTH-PARAMETERS IN RELATION WITH FLOODING TOLERANCE IN RICE

Pre-submergence reserve saccharides was found adequate to substantiate the survival of tolerant cultivar under flooding. Survival percentage declined in both tolerant and susceptible cultivars with less sacchar ide content. However, it was more apparent in susceptible cultivar. Pl ant height, fresh and dry mass of shoots, leaf mass/area ratio and sta rch content per plant before flooding showed significant positive asso ciation with submergence tolerance. Hence, the improved seedling vigou r could be used to increase submergence tolerance.