Genotypic variation of photosystem II photoinhibition and energy partitioning in relation to photosynthetic adaptability to mild soil water deficiency of rice cultivation in northeast Thailand

► Photoinhibition and energy partitioning were evaluated in rice under flooded and aerobic conditions. ► More severe photoinhibition and higher thermal dissipation were observed in aerobic condition than flooded condition. ► However, the difference between conditions were less than the range of genotypic variations. ► Genotypes photoinhibited more severely showed less biomass reduction in aerobic conditions. ► Photoinhibition might be preferable trait for energy control in PSII under mild drought stress.