A 2026 study by Dahrul Faiz Sormin, Rasmita Adelina, Burhanuddin, Yusriani Nasution, and Nggelem Ginting from Universitas Graha Nusantara Padangsidimpuan shows that increasing salinity levels significantly reduce the growth of local rice varieties from the early vegetative phase. Conducted between May and July 2025, the research highlights the growing threat of soil salinity to rice cultivation and food security.
Salinity has become a major challenge in agriculture, particularly in coastal and lowland areas vulnerable to seawater intrusion. The problem is now expanding to non-coastal farmland due to land degradation and poor water management. While local rice varieties are believed to have adaptive potential, scientific evidence on their tolerance to salinity remains limited.
The study was carried out in a greenhouse using four rice varieties—Inpari 49, Siporang, Silatihan, and Silottik—exposed to three salinity levels (0, 3, and 6 grams per liter of NaCl). Plant growth was evaluated using simple indicators such as plant height, leaf number, germination rate, and chlorophyll content.
Key findings include:
- High salinity significantly reduces plant height and leaf number
- Chlorophyll levels decline as salinity increases
- All rice varieties show reduced growth under saline conditions
- Each variety displays different adaptive responses
- None of the tested varieties demonstrate full tolerance to high salinity
These findings confirm that salinity stress is a primary limiting factor for rice growth, especially during the vegetative stage, which is critical for root, stem, and leaf development.
Dahrul Faiz Sormin from Universitas Graha Nusantara explains that the decline in growth reflects disruptions in plant physiological processes, including photosynthesis. Although local varieties possess genetic diversity that supports adaptation, their tolerance remains limited under high salinity conditions.
The implications are significant. For farmers, the results highlight the need to carefully select rice varieties in salt-affected areas. For researchers and plant breeders, local varieties with better adaptive responses can serve as genetic resources for developing salinity-tolerant rice. For policymakers, the findings provide a basis for strengthening food security strategies amid climate change and land degradation.
Author Profile
- Dahrul Faiz Sormin - Universitas Graha Nusantara
- Rasmita Adelina -- Universitas Graha Nusantara
- Burhanuddin -- Universitas Graha Nusantara
- Yusriani Nasution -- Universitas Graha Nusantara
- Nggelem Ginting -- Universitas Graha Nusantara
Source
Sormin, D. F., Adelina, R., Burhanuddin, Nasution, Y., & Ginting, N. (2026). Salinity Stress Test for Several Local Rice Varieties from South Tapanuli During the Vegetative Phase. International Journal of Education and Life Sciences (IJELS), Vol. 4 No. 3, pp. 283–292.
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