Enhancing rice resilience to zinc deficiency: Insights from leaf and seed zinc accumulation, glutathione reductase activity and hydrogen peroxide

Abstract

The experiment was conducted to investigate the responses of two rice genotypes, IR 74 (sensitive) and RIL 46 (efficient), to zinc deficiency. Grown in both field and controlled conditions, the experiment aimed to understand the physiological and biochemical factors influencing their responses for developing zinc-efficient rice varieties. Under normal zinc conditions, both genotypes exhibited superior root systems, but zinc deficiency hindered root growth, more so in IR 74. RIL 46 showed enhanced zinc uptake and translocation under both conditions, maintaining higher zinc content in grains. Glutathione Reductase (GR) enzyme activity in leaves revealed a strategic response in RIL 46 to mitigate oxidative damage under zinc deficiency. Hydrogen peroxide accumulation in roots indicated a heightened oxidative stress response in the sensitive line. In conclusion, RIL 46 demonstrated genetic resilience to zinc deficiency, emphasizing the importance of zinc accumulation, GR activity and hydrogen peroxide levels as indicators for selecting resilient rice varieties in zinc-limiting environments.