Preliminary Studies in Rice Cultivars from North East India

Observations recorded on nine characters in 46 short-statured cultivars from North East India were considered and the significance of character associations discussed. Two broad groups were recognized. Varieties with moderately high to high tillering habit, relatively long panicles with varying grain number and different grain size and the flag leaf aligned at a narrow leaf angle and with early senescence form one group. The second set of varieties have japonica type grain. These possess a shy tillering habit and short panicles with closely arranged spikelets. The flag leaf is comparatively thick, horizontal or descending in position (in relation to the panicle) and with late senescence. It is inferred that this character association has been brought about in course of time following independent origin of different morphological characters to suit specific climatic and environmental milieu. Constellation of characters had in turn led to the group divergence which, it is suggested, has been subsequently exploited and improved upon thus resulting in a broad based grouping.