Rice cultivars responses to different salinity levels at coastal agricultural land of Yogyakarta

At present, the coastal sandy soil in special region of Yogyakarta has developed to be a potential agricultural field. Salinity has become one main obstacle in this specific field. The research aimed to examine the growth and yield responses of three rice cultivars in several salinity levels in this coastal sandy soil. The research was carried out in Srigading and Baros Villages, Bantul District of Yogyakarta Special Region, Indonesia. A split plot design was applied, with salinity levels (0.1; 1.0 and 2.5) dS.m-1 as main plot and rice varieties (IR 64, Situbagendit and Dendang) as sub plot. The treatments were replicated three times. The results showed that there was hardly significant difference in most of the growth and yield variables in IR 64 and Situbagendit. However, at 2.5 dS.m-1 Dendang (the salt resistant rice) performed the highest chlorophyll content. With salinity up to 2.5 dS.m-1, there was an increase in stomatal conductance, shoot dry biomass and grain yield. Overall, adding salinity up to 2.5 dS. m-1 in coastal sandy soil promoted better growth and yield of rice. However, with higher salinity levels, grain yields decreased. The decrease in grain yield was larger in salt resistant variety, than in salt sensitive varieties.