Genotypic response of silicon uptake ability in upland varieties of indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) and in silico analysis of silicon transporter gene (Lsi2) in var. Ghanteswari.

Rice is a crucial staple crop accumulating ~10% of (dry wt.) silicon. Si uptake abilities of seven upland indica rice genotypes (var. Annapurna, var. Badami, var. Ghanteswari, var. Lalat, var. Pathara , var. Sankar and var. Udaygiri) were screened with four Si concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mM) at different day’s interval (10d and 20d). Hydroponic culture revealed maximum relative growth of both shoot and root in 1.0 to 2.0mM of Si concentration. The indica var. Ghanteswari (140.9% at 1mM) and var. Lalat (139.1% at 2mM) showed maximum shoot growth, while maximum root growth was recorded in var. Ghanteswari (300% at 2mM) and var. Lalat (265% at 2mM). Molecular characterizations and allele mining of Lsi2 gene was carried out in var. Ghanteswari using designed gene specific primer. Phylogenetic tree obtained from Lsi2 gene of var. Ghanteswari suggested that this gene belongs to a separate domain and hence can act as a novel gene involved in Si uptake potential of indica rice. So, allele mining of gene can induce genetic manipulation of Si uptake capacity of the crop in general and rice in specific that might help in more Si transport and therefore improve their ability to overcome biotic and abiotic stresses.