Comparative Study of some Cultivars of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) for Iron Fe Biofortification under Saline Condition

Rice is a stable food crop in Nigeria and greater percentage of the world. Rice is an important cereal crop of the world and nutritionally potential food crop. Iron plays a vital role in human life. Such as in production of red blood cells, transportation of oxygen around the body, strong immune system and a component structure of the human haemoglobin. It is also involved in the conversion of blood sugar to energy. The study screened some cultivars of Oryza sativa for their abilities to retain Iron (Fe), their response to Fe biofortification and their adaptabilities and tolerance capacities for Fe biofortification under saline condition. Five (5) cultivars of lowland rice namely; FARO 44, UPIA 3, FARO 52, FARO 57 and IWA 4 were used for this study. One hundred (100µg) of Fe from FeNH₄.(SO₄).12H₂O was applied through foliar application. The Fe increase available for human body use was comparatively higher in the fortified than unfortified treatment, especially those planted in the non saline treated soil. Under saline condition, the Fe increase in fortified FARO 44 was less than in the unfortified by approximately nine percent (9.29%). UPIA 3 was higher by 20.48%, FARO 52 higher by 14.43%, FARO 57 higher by 22.83% and IWA 4 was higher by 27.08%. In the non saline fortified, FARO 44 was higher than the unfortified by 71.9%, UPIA 3 by 20.26%, FARO 52 by 30.71%, FARO 57 was higher by 217.21% and IWA 4 increased by 6.95%.  The study revealed that FARO 57 was more sensitive to salinity in Fe biofortification and UPIA 3 was more suitable for Fe biofortification under saline condition among the cultivars used for the study. UPIA 3 is the best because it was more stable in both saline and non saline, fortified and unfortified conditions, high yielding and was not infected or being susceptible to any disease. The study also showed that FARO 57 in non saline soil had the best ability to retain Fe in iron biofortification. But unfortunately, FARO 57 has lodging mechanism that affected its yield.To eliminate micronutrients malnutrition and improve food security, there should be integration of multidiscipline and biofortification employed as a tool to produce cultivars of high yielding and rich in essential nutrients.