Physico-chemical and Genetic Analysis of Aromatic Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Germplasm

For selection of aromatic rice lines, twenty six (26) rice genotypes were evaluated for agronomic characteristics and aroma detection through sensory test and genotypic analysis using SSR markers. Grain quality and yield attributes were analyzed after harvesting the grain. Aroma was detected by 1.7% KOH as a sensory test. Based on sensory test, six genotypes were detected for having strong aroma; 7 for moderate aroma; 10 for slight aroma and 3 for no aroma. Aroma had significant and positive association with grain length-width ratio; significant and negative association with grain width, significant and negative association with gelatinization temperature, and no significant association with grain length. Three SSR primers viz; RM223, RM515 and RM342 were used for identifying fgr gene locus in 26 rice genotypes. The primer RM223 identified the fgr locus as homozygous condition for 6 as strong aromatic, 7 moderate aromatic, 10 slight aromatic and the rest 3 as non aromatic. The primer RM515 detected 4 as strong aromatic, 6 as moderate aromatic, and 16 as slight to non aromatic. The primer RM342 detected 3 as strong aromatic and four as moderate aromatic, 19 as slight to non aromatic. Compared among the three markers, RM223 detected the highest number of fgr locus in aromatic rice genotypes. Among the three primers, RM223 responded best in all the 26 rice genotypes, because RM223 primer could be able to identify aromatic and nonaromatic genes having higher yield with good agronomic performance and other grain quality traits. These elite lines could be readily used in breeding programme for release aromatic rice variety with considerable yield. Keywords: Microsatellite markers; aromatic rice DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/agric.v9i1-2.9482 The Agriculturists 2011; 9(1&2): 82-88