Phenotyping protocols for abiotic stress tolerance in rice

Book excerpt: In this manual, we provide detailed protocols for screening rice under the major stresses affecting both rainfed and irrigated rice: submergence, salinity, drought, and the soil problems – excess iron and aluminum. We also include protocols for a new area of abiotic stress research since it is increasingly occurring in farmers’ field due to climate change: combined stresses. Results from these protocols on combined drought + salinity and submergence + salinity indicate that the effects on the rice plant are sometimes different than under individual stresses. The protocols in this manual have been developed and optimized over decades at IRRI. Numerous scientists, technical staff and students have been involved in the development and use of these protocols, and it is often their experiences that have led to improvements, all of which are highly acknowledged. Our objective with this compilation is to provide a resource for researchers around the globe who aim to improve the abiotic stress tolerance of rice as part of the effort to benefit rice farmers in both rainfed and irrigated areas affected by abiotic stresses