Identification of Rice Varieties with High Tolerance or Sensitivity to Copper

ABSTRACT To study tolerance of rice (Oryza sativa L.) to excessive copper (Cu), 167 varieties were screened for Cu tolerance or sensitivity. Based on the elongation of the root, No. 1139 and No. 1195 were chosen as Cu-tolerant and Cu-sensitive variety. Compared with the control (0.32 μ mol L− 1 Cu), treatments with 5 and 8 μ mol L− 1 Cu for 10 days had no significant effect on the root and shoot dry masses of Cu-tolerant variety No. 1139, but significantly decreased root and shoot dry masses of variety No. 1195. Copper at 5 and 8 μ mol L− 1 also significantly decreased contents of chlorophyll and carotenoid and the ratio of variable to maximal chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) in the leaves of the Cu-sensitive variety No. 1195. Roots and shoots of variety No. 1139 contained significantly higher the concentration of Cu than variety No. 1195 exposed to 5 and 8 μ mol L− 1 Cu. However, variety No. 1139 had higher Cu proportions on the cell walls in shoots and roots than variety No. 1195.