RICE GERMPLASM COLLECTION IN TRIl'URA STATE
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Abstract
Tripurfl in the North-eastern region ofIndia is avery rich resource of
rice .germplasm diversity. The landraces adapted' to upland (tillas) and
lowland valley areas responsive to low potash and phosphorus, and less prone
to floods and various insect-pests diseases, are ofimmense value in country's
rice improvement programmes. Keeping this in view, extensive collection
programme was undertaken in all the areas ofTripura state to ascertain the
present status Of rice landraces of Tripura; to find out gaps in germplasm
collection and to indicate ifany genetic erosion has occurred. Wide variation
in the upland and wet land rice landraces in Tripura was found. However,
due to modernisation of agriculture especially in the 'Vttlley areas and
adjoining hills (tillas),manyofthelandracesofricehavealreadydisappeared.
The rate of loss in the past 15-20 years period varied from 12.5 to 73.3 per
cent. In the hills dominated by tribals