Assessment of Morphological, Genetical and Diversity Studies in Landraces of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Background: Landraces displayed a wide range of genetic diversity in rice farming system. Landraces or local types have been used as the sources for the characters such as resistance to pest, disease, abiotic stresses and genetic sources for some physicochemical characters. Various types of landraces of rice are available in the major rice growing regions of Karnataka and hence, their characterization and establishment in uniformity is essential, to consider them as variety and can be protected under PPV and FR act. Investigation was undertaken to assess genetic variability and diversity in fifty one landraces of rice. Methods: The materials comprised of fifty one landraces of rice collected from Zonal Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station, Brahmavar and the experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with two replications, following spacing of 20 cm between rows and 15 cm between plants at College of Agriculture, Shivamogga, during the Kharif 2018. Result: The present experiment will be useful for the farmers and researchers to identify the valuable germplasm for utilization in rice yield improvement and seek protection under Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act and also for protection of rice landrace like Gulvadisanna and Kayame registration made under PPV and FRA.