Chapter 2 Collection of scented rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars from Maharashtra and parts of Karnataka Collection of rice cultivars 2.1 Introduction Ancient India is one of the oldest regions where cultivation of O. sativa L. began. The foothill of Himalayas is the centre of diversity of scented rice of Group V, from here by westward route scented rice cultivars distributed in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat (Glaszmann 1987). In these states numerous scented varieties belonging to this group are grown under different names (Khush 2000). It is estimated that India has over 70,000 cultivars of rice germplasm and with a sizable number of wild forms still to be collected and conserved (Siddiq 1992). Since the time of civilization, thousands of locally adapted scented rice genotypes have evolved as a consequence of natural and human selection. These landraces are the genetic reservoirs of useful genes. The collection and evaluation of landraces is a part of fundamental work of rice geneticist for breeding purposes. Considering the need for broadening gene-pool of rice, it is necessary to collect and conserve the cultivars that are locally cultivated and maintained by farmers. In view of collecting the germplasm, a special drive was undertaken for upland paddy varieties cultivated in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and 5 other states resulted in collection of 1,938 cultivars. National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi, India further augmented the collections during 1983-89 by about 4,862 cultivars. Parts of Maharashtra were also explored during joint explorations led by Kihara in the early 1960s and Watabe in the late 1960s and early 1970s (Singh et al. 2000b). Even though all these explorations have resulted in a large assembly of scented rice cultivars maintained as working/active collections/base collections at various gene banks, majority of the cultivars lack precise information on important traits (Rana et al. 2009). The large scale spread of modern, high yielding varieties has replaced the traditional varieties especially in the irrigated rice ecosystem leading to reduced genetic base and thus increased genetic vulnerability. In past few decades, increase in share of high yielding varieties and shrinkage in the area of local varieties have been reported in India (Hore 2005, Patil and Patil 1994, 5 Collection of rice cultivars Rana et al. 2009) as well as in several other countries (Bhatti 1998, Chaudhary 2006, Itani 1993, Juma 1989). Collection and characterization of cultivars is not only important for utilizing the appropriate attribute based donors in breeding programs, but is also essential in the present era for protecting the unique rice. Thus considering this background and need of conservation, the efforts were undertaken to collect rice cultivars especially non-basmati scented cultivars from Maharashtra and parts of Karnataka 2.2 Material and methods 2.2.1 Exploration and collection of rice cultivars: The collection of rice cultivars was made by personal collection, procurement of cultivars from rice research stations and research institutes and by purchase of cultivars. 2.2.1.1 Personal collection: Rice growing regions of Maharashtra state and Belgaum district, Karnataka were surveyed in years 2005-2009 for scented rice cultivars. During this period local farmers were enquired primarily about native scented landraces. Based on this information, fine grid survey was conducted in Konkan belt (Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg district), West Maharashtra (Nashik, Ahamadnagar, Pune and Kolhapur) and Vidharba (Bhandara, Chandrapur, Gudchiroli, Gondia district) for collection of cultivars. Fresh seed stocks for each cultivar were collected from fields, farmer’s store, local market and threshing floors. Along with this, farmer’s opinions about peculiarities and shortcomings of the cultivars were also recorded. The localities of collection are indicated in Fig 2.1. 2.2.1.2 Procurement from Research stations and institutes: Germplasm was procured from research stations in Maharashtra viz. Agricultural Rice Research Station, Radhanagri, Dist. Kolhapur (ARRS, Radhanagari) and Rice Research Station, Shindewahi, Dist. Chandrapur (RRS, Shindevahi) and from research stations in Karnataka viz. Agricultural Research Station (Paddy), Sirsi, Dist. Karvar (ARS, Sirsi) and Rice Research Station, Mugad, Dist. Dharwad (RRS, Mugad) ascertain comprehensive collection (Fig 2.1). 6 Collection of rice cultivars Fig 2.1 Maps of Maharashtra and Karnataka indicating localities of collection for non-basmati scented rice cultivars and research stations. Number of non-basmati scented rice cultivars collected at each location is given in brackets. 7 Collection of rice cultivars In addition, Basmati rice types were procured from Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi for comparative analysis. 2.2.1.3 Purchase of cultivar: Seeds of cultivar were purchased from National seed corporation Ltd., New Delhi. The cultivars were classified as scented (non-basmati and basmati) or non-scented type and further categorized as landrace, selection and hybrid. 2.2.2 Maintenance of cultivars: The collected cultivars are conserved Ex- situ. The stocks of cultivars are maintained at -20 °C at University of Pune, Pune, Maharashtra. Also, the cultivars are grown at Karjat rice research station field, Raigad, Maharashtra to maintain viability. 2.2.3 Assessment of grain morphology: 88 scented rice cultivars including cultivars from personal collection and representatives from research stations were assessed for grain morphology following the guidelines of IBPGR-IRRI Rice Advisory Committee (1980). Grain morphology in terms of awning, awn colour, lemma and palea characters, pubescence, colour of sterile lemma and apiculus colour were recorded as described in Table 2.1. Table 2.1 Descriptors of rice (O. sativa L.) grain morphology Character Description with code Awning (C1) Absent (0), Short straw coloured (1), Short red coloured (2), Short black coloured (3), Long straw coloured (4), Long red coloured (5), Long black coloured (6) Lemma and palea colour Straw (1), Brown spots on straw (2), Purple spots on (C2) straw (3), Straw with furrows (4), Straw with Golden furrows (5), Straw with Brown furrows (6), Straw with Purple furrows (7), Brown spots on straw with furrows (8), Golden (9), Golden with furrows (10), Golden with brown furrows (11), Red (12), Red with furrows (13), Brown (14), Brown with furrows (15), Black (16), Black with furrows (17) Pubescence on lemma and palea (C3) Absent (0), Present (1) Sterile lemma colour (C4) Straw (1), Gold (2), Red (3), Purple (4) Apiculus colour (C5) Straw (1), Red (2), Purple apex (3), Purple (4), Brown apex (5), Brown (6), Black (7) 8 Collection of rice cultivars 2.3 Results and Discussion 2.3.1 Exploration and collection of rice cultivars: The study resulted in total collection of 124 rice cultivars. Among these 52 were collected personally, 71 were procured from research stations and 1 was purchased. 2.3.1.1 Personal collection: Personal collection consists of 32 non- basmati scented, 1 basmati and 19 non-scented rice cultivars. The details of personal collection are presented as Fig 2.2 and Table 2.2. Fig 2.2 District-wise details of personal collection of rice ( O. sativa L.) cultivars. The numerals over each bar indicate number of cultivars belonging to that category. It was observed that Western Maharashtra particularly Pune district possesses higher number of scented rice cultivars followed by Kolhapur district (Fig 2.2). Besides landraces, Ambemohar-157 a pure line selection of Ambemohar landraces and two hybrid varieties viz. Indrayani and Makarand were also collected. Traditional landraces Basumati (also known as Belgaum basmati), Kali kumud and Kumud were collected from Belgaum district, Karnataka. We, for the first time, report seven landraces - Girga, Kothmirsal, Kala bhat, Chimansal, Jiri, Kalsal and Velchi grown in Maharashtra and Kali kumud from Belgaum, as indigenous to these regions. Ambemohar, Kamod and Chinoor have been traditionally grown in certain pockets of Maharashtra 9 Collection of rice cultivars (Nerkar et al. 2003). We could collect four cultivars of Ambemohar varying in grain morphology and quality traits viz. Ambemohar Ajra, Ambemohar Pandhara, Ambemohar-Tambda, and Ambemohar from Pune and Kolhapur district and three Chinoor types viz. Kate chinoor, Kondhekar chinoor and Parabhani chinoor from Chandrapur district that have not been reported earlier. Only one type of Kamod was observed to be in cultivation. Along with these, we could collect Champakali, Ghansal, Kamavatya, Khadkya, Lal bhat, Lal dodki, Raibhog, Tamsal and Gham landraces grown in Maharashtra. Table 2.2 Details of personal collection of rice ( O. sativa L.) cultivars Type State District Category Cultivar Ahmadnaga Landrace Kala bhat r Kate chinoor, Kondhekar Chandrapur Landrace chinoor, Parabhani chinoor Gudhchiroli Hybrid Makarand Ambemohar Ajra, Champakali, Kolhapur Landrace Ghansal, Girga, Kothmirsal Landrace Chimansal, Kamod Nashik Hybrid Indrayani Non- Maharashtra basmati Ambemohar, Ambemohar scented Pandhara, Ambemohar-Tambda, Landrace Jiri, Kalsal, Kamavatya, Pune Khadkya, Lal bhat, Lal dodki, Raibhog, Tamsal Selection Ambemohar-157 Raigadh Landrace Gham Ratnagiri Landrace Velchi Thane Hybrid Pusa sugandha Karnataka Belgaum Landrace Basumati, Kali kumud, Kumud Basmati Maharashtra Kolhapur Hybrid Basmati Luchai, Mothi luchai, Navedhan, Gudhchiroli Landrace Suvarna wild Ratnagiri