EVALUATION AND UTILIZATION OF AROMATIC RICE (OnJza sativa L.) GERMPLASM FOR AGRONOMIC TRAITS

Abstract

The development of semi-dwarf varieties of rice capable of
responding to higher doses of fertilizers and irrigation in the sixties,
made the vertical choice with respect to consumer quality grades
abruptly narrow, thereby shifting the emphasis in food production
from quality to quantity. As a result the traditional low yielding
but high quality rices started vanishing from the scene. However,
the strong liking of the Indian consumers for superfine scented
rices together with their increasing demand for export purposes
kept the interest in basmati rices alive. Further, lately there has
been considerable emphasis on quality improvement of the high
yielding rice varieties. The present studies were carried out to
assess the genetic potential of some of the exotic and aromatic rices
for possible utilization as donors of agronomic traits.