1ICAR-National Organic Farming Research Institute (NOFRI), Gangtok, Sikkim-737102
3Formerly, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Sikkim Centre, Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim)
2ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad
Rice landraces diversity of Sikkim consisting of 51 accessions were studied for morphological, physico-chemical and micronutrient diversity. Analysis of characterization data of 50 DUS characters and 16 physico-chemical traits showed considerable variation among the germplasm. While the landraces Redzomu and Taichung were earliest to flower, Doodhkalam, Taichung, Takmaru (LL), Baelbuty and Anandhi have short stem length and 17 other landraces are strongly aromatic. With regards to important quantitative traits maximum test weight was recorded in Anandhi (33.0 g), head rice recovery in Dudheyjuari and Tulasi (70.6%), kernel length in Kalsati (6.70 mm), grain iron (Fe) in Ramsaree (14.6 ppm) and maximum grain zinc (Zn) content in Chinidhan (30.2 ppm). The Pearson Correlation Coefficient for variables revealed associations among morphological and grain quality parameters. Multivariate Analysis indicated seven principal components (PCs) accounting for 80% of the variability in the rice germplasm and the UPGMA Cluster Analysis grouped the germplasm in to five distinct clusters.
DUS characters, Multivariate analysis, Northeastern India, Rice, Sikkim
