DUS Characterization of rice (Oryza sativa L.) landraces of wayanad, kerala

Sixty landraces of rice (Oryza sativa L.), including the aromatic genotypes collected from different parts of Wayanad, Kerala, and were characterized for both qualitative and quantitative characters following the guidelines from the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) and Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmer's Rights Authority (PPV&FRA). The experiment was conducted in Augmented Block Design with three check varieties (Kanchana, Uma and Aathira). Out of 25 descriptors studied, three characteristics were found monomorphic, seven were dimorphic, six were of trimorphic, seven were tetramorphic and decorticated grain shape showed five states of expression, and lemma and palea colour recorded six states of expression. This detailed characterization of Wayanad rice landraces is very important for rice breeding from the standpoint of selection and conservation of different landraces for further utilization in crop improvement programmes and also to seek protection under PPV&FR Act, 2001 of India.