Identification of novel resistance source in traditional varieties against major diseases of rice

Traditional rice varieties maintained and cultivated by farmers are the potential sources of resistant donors that can be used for breeding rice varieties with durable resistance. They possess traits potentially adaptable to a wide range of abiotic and biotic stresses. Characterization of these germplasm is essential in rice breeding varieties and provides valued information for developing new rice. In this study, a large-scale screening of 167 traditional rice varieties was carried out to identify resistance sources against blast, sheath blight and brown spot diseases of rice. The mean location severity index (LSI) of leaf blast, sheath blight and brown spot was 6.91,7.14 and 7.84, respectively. Among the varieties screened, five varieties viz., Malgudi sanna, Puttaa batta, Selamsanna, Sadaholga and Mysuru sanna showed resistant reaction against blast, while only one variety Puttaa batta showed resistant reaction against brown spot, none of the varieties showed resistant reaction against sheath blight. However, only one variety Bangara sanna-4 showed moderate resistance to the sheath blight disease. The identified resistant varieties can be used as potential source for breeding durable resistant varieties in the future crop improvement programmes.