This seminar discussed molecular studies and breeding approaches for developing salt tolerance in rice. Salt tolerance is polygenic and several genes for tolerance have been identified. The seminar covered definitions of saline and sodic soils, objectives of developing salt tolerance, physiological and morphological effects of salt stress, conventional and molecular breeding methods used, and progress made in identifying quantitative trait loci and genes related to tolerance. Marker-assisted selection and genetic transformation techniques are being used in molecular breeding to develop elite salt tolerant rice varieties for release.