Evaluation of Grain Yield, Quality and Nutrients Content in Four Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Genotypes

Aims: The main objective of the study is to combining the higher yield and micronutrient content along with good grain cooking quality in polished rice.

Study Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted in the farm of Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad, India. The duration of the study was two successive wet seasons 2013 and 2014.

Methodology: The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Four rice accessions consist of two parent lines (Samba Mahsuri and Chittimutyalu) and two derivatives (BPCM1 and BPCM2) were grown under normal agronomical conditions, evaluated for their yield, grain quality and nutritional properties. The four genotypes were profiled with RM markers.

Results: Both the derivative lines BPCM1 and BPCM2 have shown higher yield advantage (4.5% and 8.8%) than the parent Samba Mahsuri along with quality parameters like amylose content (23.3%, 25%) and gel consistency (21.5, 23.7) as well as high zinc content (20.6 ppm, 24 ppm) moderate iron content (3.6 ppm, 4.3 ppm) in polished rice. High heritability (0.91%) was found for the all traits studied. The association of grain yield is significant with harvest index, test weight and straw yield. Grain zinc content was significantly and positively associated with iron content and negatively associated with total protein. The experiment result indicates that, the micronutrient enhancement could be possible along with grain yield and cooking quality.