Abstract

A STUDY ON INDIGENOUS AROMATIC RICES OF ODISHA FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL POOR

Puspasree Puhan* and S. R. Das

ABSTRACT

„Rice is life‟. It is the staple food for more than half of the world's population. India is the second largest rice-growing country after China, with a production of more than 100 million tones. India is considered as a center of origin of rice. Out of 21 species of the genus Oryza; Oryza sativa (Asian cultivar) and Oryza glaberrima (African cultivar) are the only cultivated species. The Asian cultivar O. sativa has been differentiated into three subspecies, viz., indica, japonica and javonica. Asian cultivar comprises six varietal groups viz., Indica, Aus, Ashina, Rayada, Aromatic and Japonica. Jeypore Tract, Odisha, India is considered to be a centre of origin of Aus ecotype of rice. The Aus rice of the Jeypore tract is of best quality constitutes small but a special group of rice. Many traditional rice varieties like Bobblibhuta, Mahulakunchi, Kulia, Kulia sankar, and Badamfarm etc. for rainfed uplands; Barangachudi, Sarumundabali, Kakudimanji etc. for medium lands; Karandi, Bayahunda, Ratnachudi, Galleiganthi, etc. for lowlands and Sanakalasura, Badakalasura, Matiaburus, and Pateni etc. for semi-deep water situations are grown in the state. It has been estimated that more than 100 varieties of traditional aromatic rices with pleasant aroma are grown in various parts of the state. These indigenous scented rices mainly Kalajeera, Neelabati, Krushnabhog, Govindabhog, Padmakeshari, Tulasiphoola, are predominant in coastal belts, while traditional scented varieties like Pimpudibasa, Jubaraj, Karpurakranti, Badsabhog, Kalikati, Laxmibilas and Makarakanda are common in the plateau regions of the state. Odisha is an agrarian state. The state economy is directly linked with the improvement in production and productivity of rice in the state because rice is the major food of the state. The present investigations highlighted on inter and intra population diversity among 78 rice genotypes with a view to assess the potentials and consequences of on farm management of rice landraces in traditional farming. Field survey was conducted to find out the aromatic rice varieties/landraces in different part of Eastern India (Odisha). During the period of survey, local farmers were enquired primarily about native aromatic landraces.

Keywords: Aromatic rice, ecotype, Check varieties, Genetic variations, germplasm conservation.