Enhancing salinity tolerance in cultivated rice through introgression of African rice genes and application of moringa leaf extract

• DOI: 10.1186/s12870-025-06102-y
• Publication Date: 2025-02-07T02:30:56Z
• Authors: Heba A. Saleh; Shaimaa M. N. Tourky; Farag Ibraheem; Samy A. Abo-Hamed; Wafaa M. Shukry; Walid H. Elgamal; Eman M. Elghareeb
• Keywords: Stomatal Conductance; Oryza

Abstract Background Salinity is a major threat to rice growth and productivity. Utilizing wild rice-derived genes biostimulants with high promoting- stress-alleviating potential can significantly improve salinity tolerance in cultivated rice. Herein, we investigated the vegetative physiological responses of Giza 177 ( Oryza sativa , sensitive, high-yielding cultivar) promising introgression salt tolerant line sativa/glaberrima ; SG 65) from population × African glaberrima ) under low (2.75 mS/cm) (5.5 stress. The possible ameliorative effects priming seeds moringa leaf extract (MLE) on these were also tested. Results two levels induced differential reduction plant both cultivars. In MLE-unprimed plants, 34–54% 30–45% reductions biomass accumulation 65, respectively. These associated significant relative water content, chlorophylls, carotenoids, gas exchange parameters (transpiration rate, net photosynthetic stomatal conductance, intercellular CO 2 concentration), ascorbic acid, total protein. Conversely, H O malondialdehyde, proline, carbohydrate fractions, membrane injury. MLE treatment mitigated above salinity-induced adverse cultivars via reducing salt-induced oxidative stress through induction non-enzymic (total phenols, flavonoids) enzymic antioxidants including ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, polyphenol oxidase 65 plants exhibited consistently higher responsiveness than 177. Conclusions This study reports differences an array critical biochemical indices that underpin divergent between salinized It demonstrates genomic fragments mitigating stress, highlighting their use as sustainable strategy for increasing production salt-affected soils.