A study was conducted to estimate the extent of heterobeltiosis, standard heterosis and the nature of gene action for various quantitative traits using line x tester analysis. Among the parents, GR 11, GR 7, NWGR 98002, GR 102, M 45-20-1, TN 1, NWGR 9635 and NWGR 97042 were the best performing parents for grain yield plant-1 and its component traits. Cross combinations GR 7 x IR 64, GR 7 x Narmada, Gurjari x Jaya, Gurjari x GR 102, GR 104 x NWGR 97042 and GR 11 x TN 1 exhibited high significant sca effects with high per se performance and standard heterosis over GR 7. High magnitude of heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis were observed for grain yield plant-1, plant height, effective tillers plant-1, 1000-grain weight, grains panicle-1 and harvest index. Cross combinations GR 7 x IR 64, GR 7 x Narmada, Gurjari x Jaya, Gurjari x GR 102, GR 104 x NWGR 97042 and GR 11 x TN 1 exhibited highly significant heterosis over GR 7.

Key words: Rice, gene action, heterosis

The investigation was carried out involving characterization of ten rice varieties cultivated in the Kashmir valley on the basis of morpho-agronomic characters and biochemical marker system. Marked differences were developed among the ten varieties on the basis of plant morphology. The alkaline PAGE of three isozymes (esterase, peroxidase and malate dehydrogenase) showed considerable polymorphism whereas, one isozyme (alcohol dehydrogenase) showed little polymorphism. Dendrogram of isozyme data revealed the overall differences existing in the rice varieties. The possible application of these markers for differentiation and identification of closely related rice varieties is discussed.

Key words: Isozymes, morphology, polymorphism, rice and varietal identification

Thirty hybrids generated from crossing three lines with ten testers were studied along with parents for combining ability and gene action involved in expression of characters in basmati rice. The gca and sca effects were significant for all the characters, indicating the importance of both additive and non-additive genetic components. But it is found that there was predominance of non-additive genetic components for expression of different traits in the present set of materials. Amongst the parental lines, RP 3392-75-5-11-1 and RP3644-41-9-5-5 were best general combiners for grain yield along with other traits. The most specific combiners for grain yield and other traits were Pusa3A x RP 3392-75-11-1 IR 68281A x BTCE 10-98, IR58025A x HKR 97-401, Pusa x RP3644-36-15-8-4 and IR68281A x RP3644-41-9-5-5.


Key words: Combining ability, gene action, basmati rice

Adoption of modem agricultural technology vis-a-vis, the introduction of new high yielding exotic varieties has largely endangered the rice genetic diversity that got adapted to the temperate environments of Kashmir since their first domestication. This germplasm resource is diverse in morphology, grain characteristics, quality parameters, maturity period and response to biotic/ abiotic stresses. Sixty six indigenous rice cultivars adapted to agro-climatic conditions of Kashmir were collected, evaluated under different micro-and macro-environments and characterized for morphological, maturity, yield, yield component traits, and quality parameters. Most of these cultivars got grouped into cold-tolerant Indica rice, with a few under Japonica rice. Most of the cultivars possessed genes for quality rice, better recovery of milled rice and higher head rice recovery, but, by and large, were poor yielders despite vigorous growth, usually medium in tillering and with lesser grains panicle-1. Presence of high G x E interaction revealed that minor genes and modifying factors have played a significant role during adaptation to a particular macro-environment. Genotypic coefficient of variation was high for grain yield plot-1, moderate for tillers plant-1, grains panicle-1, 1000-grain weight, amylose content and gelatinization temperature and low for maturity traits, plant height, head rice recovery, milled rice recovery and amylose content. The grains of all these cultivars are bold and sticky on cooking. Significant variation in grain colour (blackish brown and creamy white) and aroma exists revealing constellation of elite allelic resources in this set of germplasm.

Key words: Indigenous rice germplasm, cold stress, phenotypic variability, quality parameters

Four different types of containers viz., cloth bag, high density polyethylene (HDPE) bag, polylined cloth bag and super bag were evaluated to identify a suitable container for safe storage of paddy seeds (cv. ADT 38). The results revealed that moisture content of seeds increased with the advancement of storage period irrespective of containers. However, the rate of increase was significantly higher in cloth bag followed by HDPE bag than poly-lined cloth bag and super bags. The results on per cent seed germination indicated that a decline in seed germination was noticed during storage. Initial mean germination level of 98 per cent was reduced to 79 per cent at the end of six months of storage. The rate of reduction in germination was significantly influenced by initial moisture content and type of storage containers. Insect and pathogen incidences also varied due to initial seed moisture level, type of storage containers and period of storage. Irrespective of containers, the pest incidence was significantly higher in high moisture containing seeds. Super bags recorded significantly lesser incidence of insects and pathogens followed by poly lined cloth bags. Thus, the seed quality declined with storage period, the rate of seed deterioration was higher at high moisture level and the storability differed with type of storage container. Seeds with low moisture content stored in super bags or poly-lined cloth bags performed better in storability under coastal area with high relative humidity.

Key words: Paddy, seed storage, containers, coastal area

Field experiments were conducted during 2002-2004 to evaluate SRI in a high rainfall area of north-western Himalayas. Effects of age of seedlings (7-12-d old i.e. SRI vs 22-28-d old i.e. conventionally transplanted rice (CTR), plant-hill spacing (15x15 and 30x30 cm) and water regime (continuous, CF vs intermittent flooding, IF) on plant height, rice yield and yield parameters (tillers, grains panicle-1 and 1000-grain weight), and water use efficiency (WUE) in rice (cv. RP 2421) were investigated. Younger seedlings produced plants taller than older seedlings on average by 14.1 cm. Effective tillers hill-1 increased from 10 to 25 while effective tillers m-2 decreased significantly from 413 to 277 with the increase in plant-hill spacing. The 30x30 cm spacing produced higher grains panicle-1 (79) and 1000- grain weight (21.67 g) than the 15x15 cm spacing (70 grains panicle-1 and 20.42 g 1000-grain weight). Grain yield was statistically the same under all treatments (3.24-4.05 t ha-1), except CTR-30 with significantly lowest grain yield of 2.84 t ha-1. Numerically, SRI-15(CF) and SRI-30(CF) produced 20 and 13%, respectively, higher grain yield than CTR-15(CF) i.e. the farmers’ practice. Total water use was higher by 80-634 mm in SRI than CTR. The WUE under CTR and SRI varied with the water regime; under CF, it was significantly higher with CTR-15 (1.87 kg ha-1 mm-1) than SRI-15 (1.69 kg ha-1 mm-1), and under IF, it was significantly higher at 15x15 cm (1.64-1.75 kg ha-1 mm-1) than at 30x30 cm spacing (1.48-1.51 kg ha-1 mm-1) under both SRI and CTR. SRI at 30x30 cm spacing required 222 man-days ha-1 compared to 833 man-days ha-1 with CTR-15; SRI required 19-11% more time for transplanting than CTR irrespective of hill-spacing. Compared with CTR-15, the SRI-30 showed advantage in terms of higher rice yield (13%), lower seed rate (1/10th of CTR) and lesser time and labour requirement during transplanting (1/4th of CTR).

Key words: Age of seedlings, conventionally transplanted rice, plant-hill spacing, system of rice intensification, water regime, water use efficiency

An experiment was conducted in farmers’ field during wet seasons of 2003 and 2004 to study the effect of nutrient management in potato through vermicompost and urea each with sole and in different proportions on growth, productivity, nutrient uptake, economics and soil fertility of succeeding wet season rice in potato- sesame- rice cropping system. Integrated use of plant nutrients in potato through vermicompost and urea had significant influence on growth, productivity, nutrient uptake, economics and soil nutrient reserve after rice as evidenced from pooled data. Supplementation of 40-60 % recommended dose (RD) of nitrogen from vermicompost and rest from chemical fertilizers in potato exhibited the highest growth, yield attributes and yield, net return, return per rupee investment and nutrient uptake in rice. These treatments also left higher residual available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium after rice harvest. Use of 100 % RD of N entirely from chemical fertilizers or farmers’ practice in potato had lesser residual effect on succeeding wet season rice compared with integrated use of organic (vermicompost) and chemical sources.

Key words: Integrated nutrient management, potato, vermicompost, wet season rice, growth, productivity, nutrient uptake, net return, soil fertility

Daily rainfall data for 30 years (1975-2004) of seven different locations in Western Orissa viz, Sundergarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Bolangir, Titlagarh, Bhawanipatna and Koraput were analyzed for establishing long term averages of annual and seasonal rainfall and its temporal variability by deploying appropriate statistical techniques. The results revealed that the average annual rainfall in different parts of western Orissa varied from 918 mm in Sundergarh to 1541 mm in Sambalpur at different locations 78 to 86% of the total annual rainfall was received during monsoon months (June to September). The data on weekly rainfall revealed that the rain due to Southwest monsoon generally started during 24th standard meteorological week (SMW) except at Sundergarh in the extreme northern parts of western Orissa where it is delayed for a week. The monsoon rain normally ceased during 40thto 41st SMW except Bolangir, Bhawanipatna and Koraput where it ceased early during 37th to 38th SMW. At 75% confidence level, assured rain (800 to 1000 mm) for cultivation could be expected at all the locations except Sundergarh and Bhawanipatna. Except the extreme northern part of Sundergarh region, the average rainfall during monsoon (1072-1339 mm from June-September) indicated the suitability of rainfed rice cultivation in this part of Orissa with appropriate rain water management while the winter rain was meager (average rainfall 12-57 mm during December–February) for agricultural operations at all the locations even at 50% probability level.

Key words: Rainfall variability, crop planning, rice-based production system, western Orissa

Field evaluation of 92 released rice varieties of different states of India for stem borer resistance was conducted at Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack during 2003, 2004 and 2005 wet seasons. The varieties, viz., Tara, Punshi, Triveni, CSR-30, Saktiman, Kshira, Tripti, Seema, Mahalaxmi, Ambika, CSR-10, PR-115,Saket-4, VLD-221, Indira, Mandira and Mahamaya showed field reaction.(SES Score-1) over the seasons. The varieties viz. Purnendu, Gayatri and Ketekijoha showed high percentage of white ear head (WEH) damage (>30%). The resistance most popular varieties Lalat and Swarna were found to be highly susceptible.

Key words: Field evaluation, rice varieties, YSB

Biochemical changes in rice varieties Annapurna, Manika and Ramakrishna showing susceptible, moderately resistant and resistant reactions, respectively to the root knot nematode Meloidogyne graminicola were studied six weeks after inoculating the plants with the nematode @ 1000 J 2 plant-1. Chlorophyll content decreased by 60.7, 24.9 and 1%; root sugar increased by 43.8, 17.7 and 10.7%; shoot sugar decreased by 26.5, 28.8 and 10.8%; root nitrogen and protein increased by 27.1, 30.4 and 4.3%; shoot nitrogen and protein decreased by 22, 16.6 and 2.4%; root phosphorus decreased by 34.8, 9.8 and 10.6%; shoot P decreased by 25.2, 6.7 and 1%; root potassium decreased by 16.5, 56.% and 73.1%; shoot K decreased by 59.6, 18.9 and 22.7%, respectively in the test varieties.

Key words: Meloidogyne graminicola, infection, rice, biochemical changes

The effect of extended polishing (0 to 105 seconds of polishing at an increment of 15s) and natural aging (0 to 180 days, at an interval of 30 days for paddy and polished rice) on quality aspects of three varieties of aromatic rice viz., Pusa Basmati, Tilak Chandan and Chini Kamini was investigated. The quality attributes included, kernel elongation ratio, volume expansion ratio, solid loss, amylose content, alkali digestion value, gel consistency and aroma. Regression analysis was performed to correlate the degree of polishing with quality parameters of experimented varieties of aromatic rice. The response pattern of all the experimented varieties could be divided into three zones based on degree of polishing. The cooking quality parameters increased at a higher rate in the under polished zone and reached the peak values in well polished zone (8 to 10%).The over polished zone (>10%) showed almost same level of quality attributes. Thus further polishing (higher than 10%) is undesirable and may be uneconomical due to reduced head yield. Therefore the degree of polishing must be specified while expressing the quality of polished rice.

Key words: Degree of polishing, aromatic rice, cooking quality, biochemical properties

The performance of extensively used mating designs was studied for their ability to discriminate parental line with good or poor general combining ability in a set of crosses involving nine parents of indica rice. Based on the general combining ability estimates for 16 agro-morphological characters the line X tester analysis varied with the change of tester parents. Using tester with broader genetic base line X tester analysis could indentify relatively large number of good or poor combining parents. The combining ability revealed that none of parental line were found excellent for all the characters. Among the nine lines, Pusa-1463 (L9) is a good general combiner for the characters days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, no. of field grain panicle-1, no. of sterile grain panicle-1, panicle length , biological yield plant-1, grain yield plant -1 weight plant-1, harvest index and test weight.

Key words: Mating designs, line X tester, gca, sca, rice, selection of parents

Correlation and component analysis were performed for 12 characters in 20 genotypes of rice to find out the character association and their direct and indirect effects on seed yield. A positive and significant correlation was found for the characters, panicle length, number of spikelets panicle-1, flag leaf length, flag leaf width, biological yield and harvest index with grain yield plant-1 at genotypic level. Highly significant and positive correlation was observed between number of tillers and number of panicles plant-1. Component analysis revealed higher direct effects of harvest index, biological yield, number of tillers and flag width, suggesting that these characters may be given prime attention further improve the genetic yield potential of rice.

Key words: Correlation, character association, component analysis, direct effect, indirect effect

Gene action governing the inheritance of kernel length, kernel breadth and length/breadth ratio were studied in three cross combinations viz., lET 13554/Ranga Joh 2, Pusa Basmati 1 / Ranga Joha 2 and IR 64 / Badshabhog. In all the three crosse, kernel breadth was under polygenic control along with few modifier genes. In the former two crosses, which had Ranga Joha 2 as common short bold grain parent, grain length and length ratio also followed the same pattern as that of kernel breadth. Whereas in the IR 64 / Badshabhog cross the inheritance of grain length and shape was under monogenic control with long and slender grain types being dominant. In all the three crosses studied, transgressive segregation was observed particularly towards longer and slender grain size and confirming the role of minor genes in the inheritance of these characters

Key words: Rice, grain, charactersitics, inheritance

A field experiment was conducted during the wet season of 1998 and 1999 to study the effect of nitrogen application and methods of stand establishment on wet direct sown rice, Nidhi. Direct seeding using 8-row seeder recorded significantly higher grain yield (4.79 t ha-1) over broadcast method seeding (3.9 t ha-1). SPAD based nitrogen application at the reading 35 recorded mean maximum grain yield (5.40 t ha-1) highest net return (Rs. 6,470 ha-1 was recorded in row seeding of stand establishment. Among nitrogen schedules, maximum net returns of Rs. 24,740/ha was recorded by SPAD based nitrogen application at the reading 35.

Key words: Stand establishment, row seeder, SPAD and LCC based nitrogen application, economics

Eight rice hybrids (CRHR 1, CRHR 4, CRHR 5, PHB 71, DRRH 1,PA 6201, PA 6444 and KRH 2) both released and pre-release along with two local checks(Naveen and IR 64) were grown under field condition during wet seasons of 2002 and 2003 to analyze their physiological efficiency correlating its yield under irrigated transplanted condition of coastal Orissa. The results revealed that among the hybrids, CRHR 5, KRH 2, PA 6444 and PHB 71 were found to be most efficient with maximum leaf area index and total chlorophyll content at all the growth stages. However, CRHR 5 recorded highest grain yield (5.69 t ha-1), grain number panicle-1 (122.3) and harvest index (0.43) with moderate sterility (28.8%) and panicle number (336 m-2) at maturity.

Key words: Hybrids, physiological efficiency, leaf chlorophyll content

The performance of boro rice cultivars (Gautam, Prabhat, Rasi and Krishna Hansa) at five levels of fertility (control; 40: 20: 20; 80: 40: 40; 120: 60: 60 and 160: 80: 80 kg N, P2O5, K2O ha-1). Gautam recorded the maximum panicles (406.6 m-2), grains panicle-1 (87.2), 1000 grain weight (22.2 g) and gave the highest grain yield (4.81 t ha-1) were studied for 3 years. Grain and straw yields increased by increasing level of fertility upto 160, 80, 80 kg N, P2O5, K2O ha-1.

Key words: Boro rice, cultivars, fertility levels, yield

Nine insecticides viz., clothianidin 50WDG, flubendiamide 20 WDG, flubendiamide 480 SC, l-cyhalothrin 5CS, indoxacarb 15EC, acetamiprid 0.4% + cypermethrin 2% EC,acetamiprid 0.4% + quinalphos 20% EC, acetamiprid 0.4% + chlorpyriphos 20% EC and monocrotophos 36 WSC (check) were evaluated in the field during wet season, 2004 and 2005 against the rice leaffolder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenee) @ 15, 25, 24, 12.5, 30, 60, 510, 510 and 500 g a.i. ha-1, respectively. The results revealed that out of nine insecticides sprayed at 20, 40 and 60 days after transplanting, the per cent leaf damage due to leaffolder incidence recorded the lowest (1.81%) with l -cyhalothrin registering 70.13% reduction over control followed by the newer insecticides indoxacarb (62.21%) and flubendiamide (60.56%). In other treatments the level of suppression was not satisfactory.

Key words: Rice leaffolder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis, control, insecticides

Field experiments were carried out during wet seasons of 2003 and 2004 under irrigated upland ecosystem to evaluate the efficacy of plant-derived commercial products along with the standard check fungicides for controlling the brown spot of rice. Standard fungicides were found to be significantly superior to plant-derived commercial products in reducing the disease severity and increasing productivity during both the years. The plant-derived commercial products were found to be economical, feasible and eco-friendly. The results revealed that Biotos @ 5 ml l-1 of water was found significantly effective in controlling the brown spot (21.44%). It was further observed that application of Achook @ 5 ml l-1 of water gave better results in increasing the seed weight and grain yield by 17.45% and 29.97% , respectively over control.

Key words: Rice, plant-derived commercial products, brown spot, control

Rice cultivars were studied against root-knot nematode and white tip nematode infection. Significantly lowest gall number of root knot nematode was recorded in genotype Kunjan-4 and highest gall number was recorded in genotype HPR-1156. Hybrid HRI-152 and HPR-2153 recorded significantly lowest and highest number of white-tip nematodes in grains, respectively. Beside this, root-knot nematode galls recorded in the wheat crops varied from 8 to 162galls/5g root.

Key words: Rice, Meloidogyne, Malan, white tip