Performance of black rice (Oryza sativa) varieties grown in Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh, India

The present study was performed to increase the farmer's income and food security in the Namsai district agroclimatic zone. Therefore, the present study investigated the evaluation of black rice varieties in the climate of Namsai district, Arunachal Pradesh during 2019–2020. The four black rice varieties, namely BR1- Imphal, Chalchao, BR2- Manipur, BR3- Meghalaya, Lalumpam, and BR4- Meghalaya, Nalapara were cultivated in RBD field design with 5 replications during Kharif season. The growth parameters and correlations were obtained from black rice varieties. The observations were calculated with ICAR-Wasp statistical software. The maximum plant height (146.20 cm) was obtained in BR4 (Meghalaya, Nalapara). The maximal productive tillers (26) were observed in BR1 (Imphal, Chalchao). The lowest panicle emergence (48 days) was recorded in BR2 (Manipur). The maximum number of grains per panicle (151) was reported in BR1 (Imphal, Chalchao). The maximum panicle length (25.2 cm) was found in BR3 (Meghalaya, Lalumpam). The maximal yield per plot (13.6 kg) was recorded in BR1 (Meghalaya, Nalapara). The lowest crop duration (119 days) was obtained in BR1 (Imphal, Chalchao), and the maximum crop duration (132 days) was recorded in BR4 (Meghalaya, Nalapara). The total yield per plot positively correlated with plant tillers, the weight of 1000 grain, the L/B ratio, and grains/panicle. The results obtained suggest that these varieties can be utilized as a companion crop for better income, food security in this region.