Variations in morphological traits of traditional rice varieties in major rice growing regions of Tamil Nadu

Morphological traits in traditional rice varieties

Abstract

Besides therapeutic value, the traditional rice varieties have potential to compete well under changing climatic conditions viz., flood, drought, saline and sodic stress and pest and disease resistance. Recognizing the nutritional and medicinal properties of traditional varieties or landraces in rice, the consumption of these varieties is increasing nowadays. Therefore, the characterization of traditional rice varieties will be helpful in differentiating the individual varieties for further utilization in the crop improvement programme. In the present study, 32 traditional rice varieties were collected from the various places of Tamil Nadu and characterized for 62 morphological traits as per the DUS guidelines. The results of the qualitative traits indicated that the traditional rice varieties have unique characters over existing varieties in terms of basal leaf colour, leaf anthocyanin colouration, leaf sheath anthocyanin colouration, anthocyanin colouration of auricles, colour of ligule, colour of stigma and grain characters like length, width, lemma palea colour, awn type and decorticated grain colour. The study also revealed that the traditional rice varieties had extensive genetic diversity when compared to present improved types which can be used in crop improvement programme in respect to quality traits. In addition, the characterization will be useful to seek protection of the varieties under the Plant Variety Protection system.