Assessment of Variability in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Germplasm using Agro-Morphological and Quality Traits

The present study was carried out to characterize 47 rice germplasm accessions based on 58 agro-morphological and quality traits. Most of the studied traits showed a wide variation among the germplasm accessions except leaf auricle, leaf collar, leaf ligule, leaf shape of ligule and male sterility. All 47 accessions were found to be distinct on the basis of 53 agro-morphological and quality traits. Unique accessions for different morphological traits were found in Cross. 116, Gadakhuta, CGR: 7144, Kali muchh, Khira sar, Safri, Surmatia, IC-116076, Jhilli paragi, Jhingo, Maiphal jira III, Banki, Bangle, CGR: 7142, Ramti and Gedrei. Desirable accessions identified for the yield ancillary and quality traits were Bangle, Bangoli-1 (II), Ramti, Bankal (II), CGR: 7144, CGR: 7142, Kakadiha, Jhuna, Kanthdudgi and IC-132754. The accessions like Bangle, Banki and Kala jira had both high yield as-well-as better quality traits like kernel length and head rice recovery percentage. These germplasm accessions of rice can be used as phenotypically divergent sources for traits of interest in breeding programmes.