Assessment of Distinctiveness, Uniformity and Stability of Zinc Fortifi ed Rice (Oryza sativa) Genotypes based on Morphological Descriptors

Twenty five rice genotypes including indigenous and improved zinc lines were characterized using morphological descriptors adopted from the DUS guidelines of PPV & FR Authority and subsequently examined for their distinctiveness, uniformity and stability. Among the 49 assessed characters, 10 characters were monomorphic, 22 characters were dimorphic and 17 characters were polymorphic indicating their potential for varietal characterization and distinctiveness. No intra-varietal variation was observed for any of the visual characteristics and expression of characters in different varieties remained same for the two consecutive years confirming the uniformity and stability of the varieties for visual characteristics. The present study, highlights the need for and demands of zinc rich rice genotypes in Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur to conserve and protect high value traits for future promotion and utilization. On the basis of grouping characteristics unique morphological profi les could be established for all genotypes. Though, the morphological DUS descriptors establish distinctiveness of some varieties but varieties of similar background could not be discriminated hence some other markers/descriptors could be thought of for complementing the morphological DUS descriptors for establishing distinctiveness.