Grouping of Farmers’ Varieties of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Collected from West Bengal and Adjoining States

A total of 132 Farmers’ Varieties (FVs) of rice have been grouped into different classes based on the colour of basal leaf, days to 50% flowering, length of the stem (excluding panicle), length of decorticated grain, shape of decorticated grain (in lateral view), colour of decorticated grain, amylose content of endosperm and aroma of decorticated grain. Basal leaf colour of the most of the FVs was green. Based on the days to 50% flowering most of the FVs were classified under late to very late category. Again majority of the FVs were categorized into moderate and long in respect of length of the stem (excluding panicle). The rice genotypes with long slender decorticated grain have importance in international market. The FVs Uttar Banga Local-18, Birali-selection, Uttar Banga Local-17, Tulaipanji, Uttar Banga Local-14, Dudheswar-AD, Uttar Banga Local-16, Malbati, Rampha, Biroi, Uttar Banga Local-19, Kalturey, Tulaipanji-AD were classified as long slender. Decorticated coloured rice is reported to be potent sources of antioxidants and their consumption is encouraged. Decorticated grain colour of the FVs Chakhao Poireiton, Chakhao Angangbi, Chakhao Amubi, Chakhao-Selection-2, Sadabhatkalo were dark purple. Most of the FVs were non-aromatic, only 25 cultivars were found to have strong aroma on cooking and 23 were found to have mild aroma. The FVs which have been classified under desirable groups may be used for further improvement of rice based on specific character of donor.