PROFORMA FOR OUTLINE OF RESEARCH WORK

1. Name : AJITH KUMAR M

2. Campus : Agriculture College and Research Institute
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore.
3. Degree : M.Sc. (Ag.)
4. ID. No. : 2020502001
5. Subject : Agronomy
6. Date of joining : 15.02.2021
7. Title of research project : Characterization of traditional rice varieties
suitable for Navarai season of Tamil Nadu
8. Duration : One year (2021-2022)
9. Location : Wetlands farm
Department of Agronomy
Agricultural College and Research Institute
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
Coimbatore - 641 003.

10. INTRODUCTION
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a vital source of calories and a prime food crop across the
world. It is the world’s second most significant cereal crop. Rice is the hope of life since it
provides food for more than half of the world’s population. More than 2 billion people in
Asia extract 80 per cent of their energy needs from rice, which consists of 80 per cent of
carbohydrates, 7– 8 per cent of protein, 3 per cent of fat, 3 per cent of fibre and eight kinds of
essential amino acids in a fair ratio (Chaudhari et al., 2018). Rice is grown on 162.05 million
hectares across the world, with a total yield of 466.18 million tonnes (IRRISTAT, 2019).
India is Asia's second- largest rice producer, with 122.2 million tonnes produced on 43.8
million hectares with a productivity of 2.49 tonnes ha-1 (Indiastat, 2019). The major
supplement elements in rice are carbohydrates, unsaturated fats, and nutrients (vitamins and
minerals).

In the past, the green revolution improved our country’s food grain production. It was
made possible by the use of high yielding varieties (HYV) and the implementation of
enhanced agricultural methods. The frequent usage of HYV had resulted in the disappearance
of traditional cultivars (Verma et al., 2021). For a variety of reasons, indigenous species are
to be preserved. Some are pest and disease resistant (Sigappu kuruvaikaar), others are
suitable for
fodder and roofing material (Kullar), flood and drought tolerance (Samba mosanam and
Vadan samba). During the disaster event like Tsunami, only traditional varieties survived
(Vignesh and Prakash, 2019).

Traditional rice varieties play vital role in human health, not only as a food source but
also as a medicine. Karuppu kovuni a Traditional rice variety protects against cancer,
Mapillai samba strengthens body, Poongar helps for the pregnant woman’s health,
Illupaipoo samba is used to treat paralysis and leg pains, Jeeraga samba improves skin health
and Kudavazhai cure digestive problems (Muralikrishnan et al., 2021). These landraces are
highly nutritive, rich in mineral like potassium, sodium, calcium, micronutrients like iron and
zinc. They have higher level of carbohydrates, proteins, as well as vitamins like thiamine,
riboflavin and niacin. So, these land races are gaining interest for research studies.

Eastern coastal region in India is one of the country’s most important rice growing
regions with irrigated river deltas such as Cauvery, Krishna, Godavari, Indravati, Mahanadi,
allowing farmers to grow two to three rice crops annually. Coarse sandy to fine loamy soils
are suitable for TRV, especially found in the low-lying coastal areas (Pattanayak et al., 2021).
Traditional rice varieties are tolerant to salinity and submergence and grow well under
minimal input intensive agriculture. River water in Kharif season and strong flood and storm
conditions in Rabi season affect the delta region, resulting in yield decline as a result of crop
lodging or field dryness (Rathakrishnan et al., 2009).

Due to the change in the environmental conditions, new improved varieties are
developed by the plant breeders which are resistance to pests and diseases and are
recommended to farmers for cultivation (Pandey et al., 2011). Due to the continuous
availability of genetic diversity, a greater number of the hybrids are introduced. Continuous
use of HYV for production purpose results in loss of genetic diversity that cause outbreak of
pest and diseases. According to Chakrabarty et al. (2012), lower than the 15 per cent of
potential diversity has been used in plant breeding. To withstand with the upcoming
environmental conditions, Traditional rice cultivar act as a genetic reservoir for making the
release of resistant varieties.

Nearly 1200 traditional varieties are survived in major parts of Tamil Nadu in the
earlier days, among that 174 varieties were documented (Karpagalakshmi, 2021). According
to Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems (CIKS), nearly 140 traditional rice varieties were
found to be potential and are conserved by them to make those seeds available all over the
year to farmers
depending upon the respective seasons. Most of the traditional rice cultivars have different
local names which is difficult for the scientists to conduct research in traditional rice.
Germplasm collection, appraisal and characterization thus represent a significant part of the
pre-breeding process. By doing characterization, qualitative and quantitative data were
obtained and it is useful for the breeders to design the breeding programmes. It helps to curb
the duplication errors (Debas et al., 1994).

Generally, rice requires low temperature for root growth and establishment. Further,
more duration of bright sunshine during ripening phase enhances grain filling percentage and
favours for higher yield. Early maturing varieties are mostly grown in Navarai (December –
May) and it was recorded with average minimum temperature of 21.9℃, maximum
temperature of 31.8℃ and mean sunshine hours of 5.8 hours (Girija et al., 2020). The
favourable temperature for the rice growth is 20-30℃. Sowing carried out in December
month prevails weather favourable for the rice establishment. Rising of temperature and
sunshine hours as season proceeds resulted in more tillering, filled grains and higher yield.

11. REVIEW OF WORK DONE

The presence of morpho-genetic variation in agronomic characters of a crop would be
of useful to choose the best method to improve the yield in rice. The qualitative characters
which are less influenced by the environmental factors these are used as morphological
markers for the identification of traditional land races (Kalyan et al., 2017). Qualitative traits
viz., coleoptile colour, basal leaf sheath colouration, leaf-colour of auricle, leaf- ligule
intensity of green colour, culm attitude, flag leaf attitude, panicle excertion, panicle curvature,
color of awns and grain shape are more stable over generations which give confidence for
characterization of varieties (Raut, 2003).

Greater nutrition promotes favourable benefits such as quicker photosynthesis, cell

division and better vegetative development may account for the increase in plant height.
Indhirajith et al., (2021) observed that Chithiraikaar variety recorded comparatively
increased plant height during active tillering stage. At panicle initiation stage Mapillai samba
variety has significantly higher plant height. Increased plant height in Red kavuni was during
the maturity stage (Ashraf et al., 2017). Singh et al. (2018) shown that plant height was
reduced when the drought stress was given irrespective of all rice genotype . Vignesh and
Prakash (2019) found that under saline conditions Kudaivazhai performed well and resulted
increase in plant height.
 Tillering ability plays a crucial role in estimating rice grain yield. Less tillers results in
fewer panicles, increased tillers enhance higher tiller mortality, small panicle, poor grain
filling and subsequent reduction in grain yield (Peng et al., 1996). Indhirajith et al., (2021)
found increased number of tillers hill-1 in Sivappukavuni at the active tillering stage, at
panicle initiation stage Mapillai samba variety has recorded higher number of tillers hill -1. De
Datta (1981) documented reduction of tiller numbers and yield were observed under moisture
stress.

SPAD meter has the potential to give and quantification of leaf nitrogen status
(Inada, 1985). Value of SPAD N is depend upon the occurrence of chlorophyll at a threshold
level throughout the crop growth stages (Yuan et al., 2016). During active tillering stage
Kullakar variety recorded higher value compared to the other varieties.

Crop photosynthetic activity and drymatter production increased when sufficient

nutrients are available (Govardhan et al., 2017). According to Ashraf et al. (2017) increased
drymatter production during maturity stage in Red kavuni. Indhirajith et al. (2020) revealed
that Mapillai samba variety was recorded maximum drymatter production. At panicle
initiation stage Mapillai samba variety has significantly higher plant height.

Variation in traditional rice cultivar yield might be due to the increased tiller and
DMP as well as yield attributing characters like number of panicles m -2, no of filled grains
panicle-1 and test weight. Significant increase in yield could be related to improved
photosynthate translocation (Kumar et al., 2000 and Singh et al., 2000).

Depending upon the environmental interaction and differences in leaf photosynthetic

rate, the variation would occur among varieties (Yoshida, 1972). Ashraf et al. (2017) found
that Red kavuni recorded higher CGR 2.83 g m-3 at flowering and maturity stages.

Chakravorty and Ghosh (2012) reported that most of germplasm were found with
awns at tip of the panicle. Controversially, Manjunatha et al. (2018) reported that absence of
awns in most of the genotypes. Keerthivarman et al. (2019) found that awns were present at
only in tip with different colours such as white, purple and red . Priyanga et al. (2020)
observed that awns distributed in whole length of the panicle.

Mahalingam et al. (2013) found that increase in pollen quantity and pollen shedding
which respectively depend on the anther length and breadth which enhance the percentage of
cross pollination (or) self-pollination. Savitha and Usha (2015) recorded increased anther
length in Kavuni variety.
12. RATIONALE
By doing characterization, qualitative and quantitative data will be obtained and it is
useful for breeders to design the breeding programmes. It helps to curb the duplication errors.
Commonly farmers are practicing cultivation of traditional land races in respective season
which limits the number of cultivated land races in Navarai season. The main problem in
‘Navarai’ (December – May) season is grain filling which coincides with the month of
March- June where the normal temperature is too high which results poor grain filling these
are known as photo-sensitive land races. With this idea, the study gives a clear idea about 25
local cultivars chosen for research irrespective of seasons suitability which will be grown in
the Navarai season. So, the research entitled “Characterization of traditional rice varieties
suitable for Navarai season of Tamil Nadu” was formulated.

13. OBJECTIVES
1. To study the growth, physiological and yield parameters in traditional rice
varieties of Tamil Nadu.
2. To find out the suitable traditional rice varieties for Navarai season of Tamil Nadu.
3. To work out the economics of traditional rice varieties.

14. BROAD OUT LINE OF WORK/METHODOLOGY

14.1. Field experiment

1 Experimental area Wetland farms

Department of Agronomy
Agriculture college and Research Institute
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore – 641 003.

2 Crop Traditional rice cultivars

3 Season Summer (Navarai) 2021
4 No. of Varieties Twenty-Five
5 Replication Three
6 Design Randomized Complete Block Design
15. OBSERVATIONS TO BE RECORDED/ LAB ANALYSIS
15.1. Field experiment observations
Growth parameters

1. Plant height (cm)

2. Number of tillers (m-2)
3. Drymatter production (kg ha-1)

Yield parameters
1. Panicle length (cm)
2. Mean panicle weight (g)
3. Number of panicles hills-1
4. Number of filled spikelet panicle-1
5. Filled grain percentage
6. Test weight (g)
7. Grain yield (kg ha-1)
8. Straw yield (kg ha-1)
9. Harvest Index

Photo/Thermo – sensitive parameters

1. Days to flag leaf emergence

2. Days to first flowering
3. 50% flowering
4. Days to maturity

Physiological parameters

1. Chlorophyll Index (SPAD value)

2. Leaf Area Index (LAI)
3. Leaf Area Duration (LAD)
4. Crop Growth Rate (CGR)
5. Net Assimilation Rate (NAR)
15.2. Soil and plant analysis

Soil analysis: (Initial and post-harvest soil)

1. Available nitrogen (kg ha-1)

2. Available phosphorus (kg ha-1)
3. Available potassium (kg ha-1)

Plant analysis

1. Total nitrogen uptake (kg ha-1)

2. Total phosphorus uptake (kg ha-1)
3. Total potassium uptake (kg ha-1)

SEMESTER-WISE BREAK UP OF WORK

S. No. Semester Works to be done
1. I • Course work

2. II • Course work
3. III • Collection of literature
• Preparing thesis proposal and presentation
• Input arrangement
• Field preparation and sowing of crop
• Collection of literature
• Recording the crop growth and yield characters observation
• Analysis of plant and soil sample
• Recording weather parameters
4. IV • Recording yield parameters
• Harvesting and recording of yield data
• Analysis of plant and soil sample
• Tabulation of observed field data
• Statistical analysis and tabulation
• Working out of economics
• Writing and submission of thesis
16. DELIVERABLES

Following are the expected outcomes from this research

1. Different growth and physiological characters of traditional rice will be documented.

2. Suitable varieties for Navarai season will be identified by studying photo-thermo
sensitive and insensitive characters of different land races.

Signature of Student

AJITH KUMAR M
Monitoring Review Evaluation Chart (MREC)
Activities 1 - 6th 7 - 12th 13- 18th 19 - 24th 25 - 30th 31 - 36th
week week week week week week
Literature collection

Presentation and
submission of thesis
proposal
Input collection

Field preparation and

laying out of plots
Crop cultivation and
data collection
Lab analysis (Soil and
plant analysis)
Statistical data analysis
and interpretation

Publishing research
article and thesis
writing and submission
 APPROVAL OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Sl. Advisory
Name, Designation and Department Signature
No. Committee
1. Chairman Dr. N. THAVAPRAKAASH, Ph.D.
Associate Professor (Agronomy)
Department of Agronomy
TNAU, Coimbatore.

2. Member 1 Dr. K. VANITHA, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor (Crop Physiology)
Department of Crop Physiology
TNAU, Coimbatore.

Member 2 Dr. P. KATHIRVELAN, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor (Agronomy)
Central Farm Unit, Wetland
Department of Agronomy
TNAU, Coimbatore.

3. Additional Dr. S. GEETHANJALI, Ph.D.

Member
Assistant Professor (PBG)
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding
TNAU, Coimbatore.

PG Coordinator Professor and Approved by

Head Dept. of DEAN (SPGS)
Agronomy