Ex situ conservation and qualitative characterization of traditional cultivars of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract

Genetic diversity of rice cultivars offers adequate opportunity for added advantage for rice improvement. Current study with 132 traditional rice cultivars had been collected from West Bengal, Manipur and Assam. Those cultivars are being preserved at repository of Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya since 2009. Few of them had used in breeding programme to develop new desirable variety with unique characteristics. Those traditional cultivars were phenotypically characterized using PPV&FRA descriptor. In this piece of work, 44 traits were considered to record the morphological differences among the traditional cultivars. All the traditional cultivars showed one or few distinctive features that made different from each other. Finally the traditional cultivars were classified based few anticipated distinctive characters. Amylose content in endosperm was very low in ten, low in twelve, medium in 61 and high in 49 traditional cultivars. Amylose content of milled rice is a significant parameter in respect of consumer preference. Under Indian context, consumers prefer rice with medium amylose content (20-25%) in the endosperm. Strong aroma was emitted by 25, mild aroma by 23 and no aroma in 84 cultivars.