Grouping of Farmers’ Varieties of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Collected from West Bengal and Adjoining States

Abstract

A total of 132 Farmers’ Varieties (FVs) of rice have been grouped into different classes based on the colour of
basal leaf, days to 50% fl owering, length of the stem (excluding panicle), length of decorticated grain, shape
of decorticated grain (in lateral view), colour of decorticated grain, amylose content of endosperm and aroma
of decorticated grain. Basal leaf colour of the most of the FVs was green. Based on the days to 50% fl owering
most of the FVs were classifi ed under late to very late category. Again majority of the FVs were categorized
into moderate and long in respect of length of the stem (excluding panicle). The rice genotypes with long slender
decorticated grain have importance in international market. The FVs Uttar Banga Local-18, Birali-selection, Uttar
Banga Local-17, Tulaipanji, Uttar Banga Local-14, Dudheswar-AD, Uttar Banga Local-16, Malbati, Rampha,
Biroi, Uttar Banga Local-19, Kalturey, Tulaipanji-AD were classifi ed as long slender. Decorticated coloured rice
is reported to be potent sources of antioxidants and their consumption is encouraged. Decorticated grain colour
of the FVs Chakhao Poireiton, Chakhao Angangbi, Chakhao Amubi, Chakhao-Selection-2, Sadabhatkalo were
dark purple. Most of the FVs were non-aromatic, only 25 cultivars were found to have strong aroma on cooking
and 23 were found to have mild aroma. The FVs which have been classifi ed under desirable groups may be
used for further improvement of rice based on specifi c character of donor.