The following research aimed to determine the tolerance of four local Gorontalo rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes to drought through the PEG-6000 induction method, conducted in 2024 at the Laboratory of Seed Science and Technology, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia. This research continued in a completely randomized design with two factors. The first factor comprised the six rice genotypes, including two national genotypes (Ciherang and Situ Bagendit), in comparison with four local Gorontalo genotypes (Ponda, Pulo Kuku, Pulo Merah, and Temo). The second factor was PEG concentrations in three levels, i.e., 0 g L^-1 (control), 12.5 g L^-1, and 25 g L^-1. The PEG-6000 utilization as a selection agent for drought-tolerant rice proved to have a significant effect on the germination process and seedling growth. Four local Gorontalo rice genotypes notably showed no resistance to drought stress, whereas the drought-tolerant indices of the four rice genotypes (Ponda, Pulo Kuku, Pulo Merah, and Temo) scored more than 1.00, being classified as sensitive genotypes. Therefore, the planting of these four local rice genotypes must include abundant water management to optimize their growth and production.

Keywords: Gorontalo rice (O. sativa L.), local rice, germination, PEG-6000, drought tolerance indices

Key findings: Four local Gorontalo rice (O. sativa L.) genotypes were distinct in having no resistance to drought stress, and the drought tolerance indices were more than 1.00 for the genotypes Ponda, Pulo Kuku, Pulo Merah, and Temo, classified as sensitive genotypes.