Characterisation of aromatic rice (Oryza sativa L.)germplasm and correlation between their agronomicand quality traits
Sarika Mathure • Asif Shaikh • N. Renuka •
Kantilal Wakte • Narendra Jawali •
Ratnakar Thengane • Altafhusain Nadaf
Received: 27 December 2009 / Accepted: 26 October 2010 / Published online: 3 November 2010
� Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010
Abstract Eighty-eight aromatic cultivars collected
from Maharashtra state were assessed for determi-
nants of kernel quality (kernel size-shape, test weight
and aroma) and grain morphology such as awning,
lemma and palea characters, pubescence, colour of
sterile lemma and apiculus colour. We, report seven
cultivars—‘Girga’, ‘Kothmirsal’, ‘Kala bhat’, ‘Chi-
mansal’, ‘Jiri’, ‘Kalsal’ ‘Velchi’ and ‘Kali kumud’ as
indigenous to southern India. Of the 69 cultivars
characterized for agronomic traits 36 cultivars were
exquisite genotypes and possessed one or more
superior traits such as early flowering, dwarf stature,
higher number of productive tiller per plant; long
panicles; higher number of filled grains per panicle
and strong aroma. Variability in aromatic cultivars
was assessed on the basis of nine traits placed
aromatic rice cultivars in five clusters. Number of
cultivars in each cluster ranged from 1 to 33. 27
significant correlations were obtained in the physical,
agronomic and grain morphology traits. Aroma was
found to be negatively associated with days to 50%
flowering as well as with filled grains per panicle.
However, correlation between panicle length and
effective tillers with aroma was not observed.
Therefore, to increase the yield, improvement in
length of panicle and increasing number of produc-
tive tillers in medium or mild scented cultivars would
be the best strategy.
Keywords Aromatic rice landraces � Aroma �Agronomic and quality traits � Improvement
Introduction
Aromatic rice constitutes small but a special group of
rice, considered as of best quality. Majority of the
indigenous aromatic rice cultivars are small and
medium grained (Singh et al. 2000a). Himalayan
Tarai region of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar of India are
the probable places of origin for aromatic rice. It is
estimated that India has over 70,000 accessions of
rice germplasm and with a sizable number of wild
forms still to be collected and conserved (Siddiq
1992). Since the time of civilization, thousands of
locally adapted aromatic rice genotypes have evolved
as a consequence of natural and human selection.
These landraces are the genetic reservoirs of useful
Electronic supplementary material The online version ofthis article (doi:10.1007/s10681-010-0294-9) containssupplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
S. Mathure � A. Shaikh � N. Renuka � K. Wakte �R. Thengane � A. Nadaf (&)
Department of Botany, University of Pune,
Pune 411007, India
e-mail: [email protected]
N. Jawali
Molecular Biology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research
Centre, Mumbai 400085, India
123
Euphytica (2011) 179:237–246
DOI 10.1007/s10681-010-0294-9
genes. The large scale spread of modern, high
yielding varieties has replaced the traditional varie-
ties especially in the irrigated rice ecosystem leading
to reduced genetic base and thus increased genetic
vulnerability. In past few decades, increase in share
of high yielding varieties and shrinkage in the area of
local varieties have been reported in India (Hore
2005; Patil and Patil 1994; Rana et al. 2009) as well
as in several other countries (Bhatti 1998; Chaudhary
et al. 2006; Itani 1993; Juma 1989). In view of
collecting the germplasm, a special drive was under-
taken for upland paddy varieties cultivated in Maha-
rashtra, Madhya Pradesh and five other states resulted
in collection of 1,938 cultivars. National Bureau of
Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi, India
further augmented the collections during 1983–89 by
about 4,862 accessions. Parts of Maharashtra were
also explored during joint explorations led by Kihara
in the early 1960s and Watabe in the late 1960s and
early 1970s (Singh et al. 2000b). Even though all
these explorations have resulted in a large assembly
of aromatic rice cultivars maintained as working/
active collections/base collections at various gene
banks, majority of the accessions lack precise infor-
mation on important traits (Rana et al. 2009). Our
earlier studies involving some aromatic rice cultivars
from Maharashtra using molecular markers revealed
high genetic diversity (Mathure et al. 2010).
Aromatic rice varieties in general are tall statured,
possess fewer number of panicles, high stem weight,
lower yields and susceptible in lodging. Glaszmann
(1987) revealed that aromatic rice varieties fall into a
separate group from that of the typical indicas and
stated that these two groups are incompatible causing
inter-group hybrid sterility. Recently it is shown that
2-acetyl-1-pyrroline based fragrance in rice is due to
the presence of a non-functional Betaine aldehyde
dehydrogenase 2 (BADH2) (Bradbury et al. 2005,
2008). The non-functional BADH2 interferes in
pollen tube development and this could be the reason
for the low grain yield in aromatic varieties (Brad-
bury et al. 2008). Therefore, for improvement of
scented rice special strategy needs to be designed by
taking into consideration the correlation between the
factors that are contributing in total yield. In the
present study scented rice germplasm was collected
throughout Maharashtra state and characterized for
agronomic and quality traits to determine a strategy
for improvement of aromatic rice.
Materials and methods
Exploration and collection of aromatic
rice cultivars
Rice growing regions of Maharashtra state and
Belgaum Dist., Karnataka were surveyed in years
2005–2009 for aromatic rice cultivars. During this
period local farmers were enquired primarily about
native aromatic landraces. Based on this information,
fine grid survey was conducted in Konkan belt
(Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg district),
West Maharashtra (Nashik, Ahamadnagar, Pune and
Kolhapur) and Vidharba (Bhandara, Chandrapur,
Gudchiroli, Gondia districts) for collection of culti-
vars. Fresh seed stocks for each cultivar were collected
from fields, farmer’s store, local market and threshing
floors. Along with this, farmer’s opinions about
peculiarities and shortcomings of the cultivars were
also recorded. Germplasm from research stations in
Maharashtra viz. Agricultural Rice Research Station,
Radhanagri, Dist. Kolhapur and Rice Research
Station, Shindewahi, Dist. Chandrapur was procured
to ascertain comprehensive collection. In addition,
Basmati rice types were procured from Indian Agri-
cultural Research Institute, New Delhi and National
seed corporation Ltd, New Delhi for comparative
analysis. The collected cultivars are conserved both at
University of Pune, Pune, Maharashtra and Karjat rice
research station field, Raigad, Maharashtra.
Characterization of germplasm for grain
morphology, quality and agronomic traits
Collected cultivars were assessed for grain morphol-
ogy, determinants of kernel quality (kernel size-shape,
test weight and aroma) and agronomic characters.
These cultivars were grown at Karjat rice research
station, Dist. Raigad, Maharashtra state for agronomic
assessment in Kharif (June–July) 2008 following the
routine practise keeping 20 9 15 cm spacing between
the two plants. Grain morphology of the cultivars such
as awning, awn colour, lemma and palea characters,
pubescence, colour of sterile lemma and apiculus
colour following the guidelines of IBPGR-IRRI Rice
Advisory Committee (1980) was recorded. Kernel
quality was determined using de-husked grains. Ker-
nels were classified on the basis of length (size) and for
L/B ratio (shape) following classification described by
238 Euphytica (2011) 179:237–246
123
Cruz and Khush (2004). Test weight was determined
in triplicate and utilised to determine quality class:
Coarse ([25 g), Medium (20–25 g) Fine (15–20 g)
and Superfine (\15 g). Aroma was detected by sniffing
and was scored as mild, medium and strong following
KOH based method (Nagaraju et al. 1991).
Out of the 88 cultivars from the collection 69 were
selected for analysing the agronomic traits. These included
cultivars belonging to different quality classes among
those procured from research stations/institutes as well as
all the cultivars collected from Maharashtra and Belgaum.
The agronomic traits included in the study were days to
50% flowering, plant height in cm, number of productive
tillers per plant at maturity, length of panicle and number
of filled grains per panicle. Days to 50% flowering was
measured from the date of sowing. Cultivars were
classified on the basis of plant height as-tall ([120 cm),
semi-dwarf (100–120 cm) and dwarf (\100 cm) stature.
All the analysis was carried out in replicates.
Data analysis
Data on agronomic traits were standardised as follows:
1: (trait value) \ (mean–SD), 2: (mean–SD) \ (trait
value) \ (mean), 3: (mean) \ (trait value) \ (mean
? SD), 4: (trait value) [ (mean ? SD). Characters
were coded according to Pleijel (1995) and utilised for
cluster analysis. Distance matrix among the accessions
under study was calculated using TREECON software
(version 1.3b) (Van de Peer and De Wachter 1993) by
Unweighted Pair Group with arithmetic Mean Anal-
ysis (UPGMA) method. Genetic distances within the
studied accessions were estimated following Nei and
Li (1979) method.
Pearson’s correlation coefficients (r) for kernel length,
kernel breadth, l/b ratio, test weight, aroma, presence of
awn, days to 50% flowering, plant height, productive tillers
per plant, length of panicle, filled grains per panicle and
presence of pubescence on lemma palea were calculated
using SPSS software (Version 9, Chicago, USA).
Results and discussion
Exploration and collection of aromatic rice
cultivars
In western Maharashtra, Pune district possesses a good
number of aromatic rice cultivars (12) followed by
Kolhapur district (6) (Table 1). Traditional landraces
‘Basumati’ (also known as ‘Belgaum basmati’), ‘Kali
kumud’ and ‘Kumud’ were collected from in Belgaum
district, Karnataka. The cultivars ‘Girga’, ‘Kothmir-
sal’, ‘Kala bhat’, ‘Chimansal’, ‘Jiri’, ‘Kalsal’ and
‘Velchi’ are grown in Maharashtra and ‘Kali kumud’ in
Belgaum over generations by local farmers at foothills
in remote villages and are indigenous to these regions.
‘Ambemohar’, ‘Kamod’ and ‘Chinoor’ have been
traditionally grown in certain pockets of Maharashtra
(Nerkar et al. 2003). Our collection from Pune
and Kolhapur district includes four cultivars of
Ambemohar viz. ‘Ambemohar Ajra’, ‘Ambemohar
Pandhara’, ‘Ambemohar-Tambda’, and ‘Ambemohar’.
They exhibited variation in grain morphology and
quality traits. Along with these, three Chinoor types
viz. ‘Kate chinoor’, ‘Kondhekar chinoor’ and ‘Parabhani
chinoor’ collected from Chandrapur district are
reported for the first time. We could collect ‘Champa-
kali’, ‘Ghansal’, ‘Kamavatya’, ‘Khadkya’, ‘Lal bhat’,
‘Lal dodki’, ‘Raibhog’, ‘Tamsal’ and ‘Gham’ cultivars
known to grow in Maharashtra. Some of the cultivars
collected during study possessed unique features viz.
‘Velchi’ posses distinct aroma resembling cardamom,
‘Gham’ grows in brackish water areas and ‘Khadkya’
can grow in comparatively less amount of water.
Hanamaratti et al. (2008) have reported that ‘Belgaum
basmati’, ‘Champakali’ and ‘Kumud’ are grown in
Karnataka and have studied agronomy and drought
resistance in ‘Champakali’. However, details of these
cultivars were not described by them.
Surveys for aromatic rice cultivars revealed that the
majority of local cultivars had late maturity hence they
require prolonged and consistent water supply. The
localities from where local cultivars were obtained are
characterized by red, brown and laterite soils of high
rainfall areas (Dikshit 1986). The areas of aromatic rice
cultivation are based at the foothills and are character-
ised by comparatively lower temperature, typical soil
conditions and moisture which are ideal conditions for
development and retention of high aroma. Hence, these
areas can be taken as the niche areas for aromatic rice
cultivation. Even though these conditions are common
in Konkan region, only two cultivars are observed to be
grown in this region. Similarly, Bhandara district and
Gondia district are reported as rice bowls of Maharash-
tra (http://www.maharashtra.gov.in). During the survey
in this region, farmers revealed that cultivars such as
‘Jirvel’, ‘Nagmoti’ and ‘Hiranakhi’ which were grown a
Euphytica (2011) 179:237–246 239
123
few decades ago are out of cultivation. Genetic erosion
might be the major reason to replace these traditional
varieties by the high yielding rice varieties that are
provided by Government agencies. Patil and Patil
(1994) reported genetic erosion in North Konkan region
of Maharashtra. Despite the encroachment of high
yielding varieties, landraces like ‘Ambemohar’,
‘Ghansal’ have survived the onslaught of high yielding
varieties owing to their characteristic aroma, taste and
stability of yield in their niche areas. These fetch
15–20% high price than other varieties with high
demand in Pune and Mumbai markets. During the
study, we also came across various factors that are
influencing the quality and quantity of aroma. As
learnt from farmers, use of chemical fertilisers in
efforts to increase production instead of the traditional
farm yard manure was the major factor affecting
aroma. Similar observations were recorded by
Suwanarit et al. (1996) where they found that aroma
and other physico-chemical characters in ‘Khao Dawk
Mali 105’ were adversely affected by the applied
dosages of nitrogen.
Table 1 Details of the aromatic accessions and their localities of collection
Source/place
of collection
Type Name of cultivar
Maharashtra
Chandrapur Landrace Kate chinoor, Kondhekar chinoor, Parabhani chinoor
Gudhchiroli Hybrid Makarand
Kolhapur Landrace Ambemohar Ajra, Champakali, Ghansal, Girga, Kothmirsal
Hybrid Basmati
Ahmadnagar Landrace Kala bhat
Nashik Landrace Chimansal, Kamod
Hybrid Indrayani
Pune Landrace Ambemohar, Ambemohar Pandhara, Ambemohar-Tambda,
Jiri, Kalsal, Kamavatya, Khadkya, Lal bhat,
Lal dodki, Raibhog, Tamsal
Selection Ambemohar-157
Raigadh Landrace Gham
Thane Hybrid Pusa sugandha
Ratnagiri Landrace Velchi
Karnataka
Belgaum Landrace Basumati, Kali kumud, Kumud
Research station or Institutes
Agri. Rice research station,
Radhanagari, Kolhapur
Landrace Adamchini-B, Amritbhog, Bansphool-A, Bantaphool-A,
Barke bhat, Bela blue, Bishnubhog, Dhanprasad,
Dubrajsena, Durgabhog, Gatia, Jeeraphool, Jhilipanjari,
Kalakrishna, Kali kajari, Kanakjeer, Kothimbiri, Lalu,
Pakhe bhat, Parbhatjira, Rati bhog, Shrabanmasi,
Shyamjeer, Tulsiganthi, Tulsikanthi, Velkat, Vishnubhog
Selection RDN local, RDN scented
Hybrid Bhogavati, Pawana
Indian Agricultural Research
Institute, New Delhi
Landrace Taraori basmati
Selection Kalanamak-3119, Kalanamak-3131, Basmati 370
Hybrid CSR-30, Pusa sugandha 5, Pusa basmati, Super basmati
National seed corporation Ltd,
New Delhi
Hybrid Pusa basmati-1
Rice research station, Shindevahi,
Chandrapur
Landrace Acharmati, Badshahbhog, Chinikamini, Dubraj, Dusara, Elaichi,
Girija sambha, Gopalbhog, Jeera-sona, Kalajeera, Kalanamak,
Pim-pudi-basa, Shrikamal, Shrikant, Tulshiamrit, Tulshimanjula
240 Euphytica (2011) 179:237–246
123
Characterization of germplasm and assessment
of variability in aromatic germplasm
The grain morphology is depicted in Online Resource
1 and 2. Among 88 cultivars, 65 were awnless while
other varied in awn size (short awn-12 cultivars and
long awn-11 cultivars) and colour (straw-17 cultivars,
red-2 cultivars and black-4 cultivars). Lemma and
palea showed varied colouration as straw (62), golden
(5), red (6), brown (2) and black (13 cultivars).
Variation in colour of furrows (gold, brown and
purple) and spots (brown and purple) and pubescence
(53 cultivars) on lemma palea was recorded. The
sterile lemma varied in colouration viz. straw (54),
gold (5), red (9) and purple (20 cultivars). The
apiculus colour was varied as straw (43), red (3),
purple (3), brown (12) and black (27).
The grain morphology varied considerably in
cultivars procured from research stations/institutes
as well as in those collected from Maharashtra and
Belgaum (Fig. 1) with respect to awnness, colour and
size of awns, lemma and palea with presence or
absence of coloured furrows and spots, pubescence
and varied coloured apiculus and sterile lemma. Hien
et al. (2007) reported that in aromatic rice cultivars
from Asia morphological traits were useful for
preliminary evaluation and could be used as general
approach for assessing genetic diversity among
morphologically distinguishable aromatic rice culti-
vars. Considering the extent of variation in grain
morphology in the present collection, it can be used
for assessment of diversity. Patra and Dhua (2003)
reported less variation in morphological characters
among 120 accessions of upland rice collected from
Jaypore tract of Orissa.
The kernel length, a quality determinant, among
the cultivars revealed a major variation ranging from
3.6 mm (‘Durgabhog’) to 8.8 mm (‘Pusa sugandha
5’). Bold grains of ‘Kothimbiri’ recorded lowest (1.4)
l/b ratio value, while slender grains of ‘Pusa sugan-
dha 5’ exhibited highest l/b ratio (4.95). Test weight
of cultivars varied from 7.2 g (‘Girija sambha’ and
‘Gopalbhog’) to 26.1 g (‘Lal bhat’). The coefficient
of variation for kernel length, l/b ratio and test weight
was 22.75, 30.31 and 31.77 respectively. On the basis
of size, shape, quality and aroma the cultivars are
classified (Online Resource 3). The kernel size-shape
of cultivars ranged from short-bold (22), short-
medium (23) to medium–medium (22) category.
Landraces ‘Gham’ and ‘Basumati’ along with ‘Bas-
mati 370’ recorded long-slender grain type. Among
the cultivars, superfine (56) and fine (26) quality was
frequent than medium (3) and coarse (3). The aroma
score categorised 42 cultivars as medium, 28 mild
and 18 strongly aromatic. The strongly aromatic
cultivars contained 16 non-basmati types of which 13
(‘Acharmati’, ‘Chinikamini’, ‘Dusara’, ‘Girga’, ‘Kali
kumud’, ‘Raibhog’, ‘Ratibhog’, ‘Velchi’, ‘Chiman-
sal’, ‘Kala bhat’, ‘Kamavatya’, ‘Kamod’ and ‘Kha-
dkya’) were landraces. Two Basmati types (‘Basmati
370’ and ‘Taraori basmati’), two hybrids (‘Makarand’
and ‘Indrayani’) and ‘Ambemohar-157’ also recorded
strong aroma. All five Ambemohar cultivars exhib-
ited quality determinant based variation amongst
them s (Online Resource 3).
The agronomical characters for 69 cultivars are
depicted in Online Resource 4). The days to 50%
flowering varied from 67 days (‘Lalu’) to 119 days
(‘Gham’). Maximum number of the cultivars
recorded tall stature (51) followed by semi-dwarf
(14) and dwarf (4). ‘Gham’ was tallest (185.67 cm)
whereas, ‘Kali kajari’ (91.2 cm) was found shortest
in height. The average number of productive tillers
per plant varied from 4 in ‘Acharmati’ to 14.3 in
‘Velchi’. The average panicle length ranged from
20.8 cm (‘Lal dodki’) to 31.83 cm (‘Elaichi’). The
mean number of filled grains per panicle were
the least in ‘Lal dodki’ (65) and maximum in
‘Dubrajsena’ (333.5). As far as variation in the
agronomic traits is concerned, days to 50% flowering
recorded low variation (%CV = 11.63) and average
number of filled grains recorded highest variation
(%CV = 28.79).
The cluster analysis placed 69 aromatic rice
cultivars into five clusters (Fig. 2). Cluster one was
the largest cluster, which included 33 cultivars. This
cluster was characterized by short-bold and short-
medium grains of superfine quality with exception of
‘Dhanaprasad’ (medium-medium) and two fine grain
quality cultivars (‘Kothmirsal’ and ‘RDN scented’).
Within this cluster, five ‘Ambemohar’ cultivars were
segregated in three separate sub-clusters. The med-
ium bold grained ‘Bela blue’ occupied second cluster.
Eleven cultivars formed cluster three that included
cultivars possessing medium-medium and medium-
slender grains of superfine quality with the exception
of ‘Lal bhat’ and ‘Lal dodki’ (coarse quality). The
cluster 4 grouped 12 cultivars possessing medium
Euphytica (2011) 179:237–246 241
123
size and shape with fine quality along with one short
medium grained cultivar (‘Raibhog’). Basmati types
along with few non-basmati types formed 5th cluster.
In this cluster, long slender grained traditional
basmati along with non-basmati cultivars (‘Kali
kajari’, ‘Pawana’, ‘Gham’, ‘Basmati 370’, ‘Basumati’,
‘Indrayani’ and ‘Taraori basmati’) formed a separate
sub-cluster.
Fig. 1 Variation in grain morphology of some cultivars
242 Euphytica (2011) 179:237–246
123
The kernel size and shape, quality, aroma and
agronomic characters, segregated all cultivars except
‘Ghansal’ (Kolhapur) and ‘Kumud’ (Belgaum) indi-
cating a high degree of diversity in the germplasm
(Fig. 2). Cluster analysis based variability assessment
in rice is reported by several workers (Ghalain
(2006), Hien et al. (2007), Naik et al. (2006), Sarawgi
and Bhisne (2007) and Ratho (1984). Ratho (1984)
reported that clustering pattern did not follow the
geographical origin of a variety. We recorded the
similar trend in distribution of cultivars. Sarawgi and
Bhisne (2007) reported separation of ‘Kalanamak’,
‘Pim-pudi-basa’ from Basmati types, while ‘Basmati
370’ further separated from ‘Taraori basmati’ and
‘Pusa basmati-1’ on the basis of agro-morphological
and quality characters. In our studies, similar trend
Fig. 2 UPGMA cluster
diagram showing
relationship among 69
aromatic rice cultivars
Euphytica (2011) 179:237–246 243
123
was observed for ‘Kalanamak’ and ‘Pim-pudi-basa’.
Naik et al. (2006) revealed clustering pattern for 50
scented rice. In their studies ‘Badshahbhog’ and
‘Shrikamal’ grouped together while ‘Dubraj’, ‘Pusa
basmati-1’ and ‘Taraori basmati’ occupied separate
clusters, thus supports our finding. For higher vari-
ability breeding, parent selection based on wider
inter-cluster distances was suggested by Mishra et al.
(2003), Chaturvedi and Mourya (2005). The present
study provides guidelines for selection of parents
based on agronomic traits with special reference to
quality characters for further improvement.
Correlation among the traits
Pearson’s correlation coefficients for twelve traits
(Fig. 3) showed significantly positive association of
kernel length with l/b ratio and test weight, and
negative association with kernel breadth. The kernel
breadth showed positive association with test weight
and negative association with l/b ratio. The kernel l/b
ratio was found positively associated with test weight.
Among the agronomic traits, plant height exhibited
significantly positive correlation with length of panicle
and negative correlation with productive tillers per
plant and filled grains per panicle. The correlations
among few quality traits and agronomic traits were
also recorded. The kernel length exhibited signifi-
cantly positive correlation with productive tillers per
plant and was negatively correlated with filled grains
per panicle. The kernel breadth showed positive
correlation with plant height and negative correlation
with productive tillers per plant. The kernel l/b ratio
was found to be positively associated with productive
tillers per plant and negatively associated with plant
height filled grains per panicle. The test weight showed
negative correlation with filled grains per panicle. The
awnness correlated positively with kernel length,
kernel l/b ratio, test weight and with productive tillers
per plant and negatively with kernel breadth. The
pubescent palea and lemma had positive association
with kernel length, test weight and negative associa-
tion with plant height and panicle length. The aroma
was negatively associated with days to 50% flowering
and with filled grains per panicle. Similar correlations
were reported by other authors [Hussain et al. (1987),
Khatum et al. (2003), Krishna Veni and Shobha rani
(2006), Nadaf et al. (2006), Naik et al. (2005), (2004),
Rajamani et al. (2004), Kibria et al. (2008) and Yadav
et al. (2007)].
In our studies, increase in aroma correlated
negatively with filled grains per panicle. Kibria
et al. (2008) have also reported negative correlation
between aroma and filled grains per panicle as well as
yield. However grain yield showed positive correla-
tion with panicle length and productive tillers (Kibria
et al. 2008). Interestingly, as no correlation was
recorded between panicle length and productive
tillers with aroma, the best suitable strategy for
improvement of aromatic rice would be to increase
Fig. 3 Pearson’s
correlation coefficients
among aromatic rice
cultivars KL Kernel length,
KB kernel breadth, L/Bkernel length breadth ratio,
TW test weight, DTF days
to 50% flowering, PH plant
height, PTP Productive
tillers per plant, LP Length
of panicle, FGP filled
grains per panicle
244 Euphytica (2011) 179:237–246
123
the length of panicle and number of productive tillers
in medium or mild scented cultivars.
Conclusions
Our study indicates that Pune and Kolhapur districts
of Maharashtra are the niche areas for aromatic non-
basmati type landraces and represent good diversity
of aromatic rice germplasm. Our group has reported
genetic diversity among some of these cultivars
(Mathure et al. 2010) indicating that the cultivars can
effectively contribute to the gene pool of aromatic
rice cultivars. The cultivars assessed are superior in
panicle length, number of productive tillers, number
of filled grains and test weight hence; are a source of
valuable germplasm for breeding of high yielding
aromatic rice. The best suitable strategy for aromatic
rice breeding would be to improve the length of
panicle and to increase number of productive tillers in
medium or mild scented cultivars.
Acknowledgments The work has been carried out under the
financial assistance of University of Pune-Bhabha Atomic
Research Centre collaborative research program, University of
Pune, Pune and Department of Science and Technology, New
Delhi. The authors are thankful to the Assistant Director of
Research, Karjat rice research station, Karjat for providing
field facilities.
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