Specific Characteristics Features of Farmers’ Varieties of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) for Testing of Distinctiveness

Abstract

Distinctiveness of a genotype is compulsory for registration under PPV & FR Act (2001). Some of the special characters of rice have been already included in the Table of Characteristics in the “Guidelines for Conduct of Test for Distinctiveness, Uniformity and Stability (DUS) on rice (Oryza sativa L.)” published by PPV & FR Authority, Government of India for rice, however some other characters which may be included in the descriptor and/or some existing trait in the descriptor may be modified. Six farmers’ varieties with some special characteristics were studied for their panicle and grain characters including their special characters. Significant variability was observed for all the panicle and grain characters. In this study, we identified multiple kernel character (reference variety- Jugal) which may be included in the descriptors for rice as a novel trait. Occurrence of single, double and triple kernels per spikelet was 53.9, 42.2 and 3.9%, respectively. Only the colour of the sterile lemma has been included in the existing descriptor, whereas the length of the sterile lemma may also be included. The average length of the sterile lemma in Rami Gelee was 9.09 mm, whereas the length of fertile lemma was 8.67 mm. Apart from these two characters, in this communication we have described three more characters, namely clustered panicle, coloured kernel and dark purple coloured rice plant.