Characterization of Chemical Tests in Different Indica Rice Accessions and Power of Discriminating Rice Subvarieties in North Western Himalayas

Variety identification has great significance from seed production, breeding as well as intellectual property rights point of view to ensure quality seed. The decrease in the morphological variation among the major rice varieties due to narrow genetic base makes it necessary for the development of quick and reliable tests for varietal identification particularly for those working in seed certification and quality maintenance. The study was conducted during 2019-20 at the laboratories of the Crop Improvement Division, ICAR-VPKAS, Almora. Two hundred Indica rice varieties/genotypes were identified on the basis of seed color (phenol, modified phenol, NaOH and KOH) to chemical tests. Phenol test grouped variety into three distinct groups viz., dark brown (15 varieties), brown (59 varieties) and light brown (95 varieties). With the help of modified phenol test these varieties were further sub grouped. NaOH test grouped varieties into two distinct groups i.e., light yellow (177 varieties) and wine red (23 varieties). These tests clearly differentiated the varieties of one group to that of another groups on the basis of seed coat color. However, KOH test was not reliable for the differentiation of these varieties because all these varieties showed light yellow color after treating with KOH solution. Though no individual chemical test was able to distinguish all the varieties, different chemical tests in conjunction were useful in identification of varieties. Thus these simple, reliable and quick tests can be used for varietal identification in rice crop.