Suitability of Indigenous Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Cultivars in Garhwal Hills of Uttarakhand Himalayas based on Seed Quality Parameters

Abstract

Hill agriculture systems of Garhwal Himalayas harbour wealth of rice landraces contributing to the agricultural biodiversity of the region. These landraces are an integral part of traditional cultivation systems for these have evolved against the adversities of agroclimatic conditions and have proven their suitability in the prevailing agro-climate of the region. However, intrusion of the high external-input intensive agriculture systems to increase crop productivity is posing great threat to the agro-biodiversity of the crop in the region. This wealth needs to be conserved for sustaining the traditional agriculture through implementation and integration of ecofriendly approaches suiting to the local conditions without harming the crop diversity. In the present study, the comparative suitability of certain widely cultivated landraces confined to mid Himalayan hills in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India, was investigated on the basis of seed quality parameters. Local cultivars China-4, Lal dhan and Rikhwa showed considerably high germination (>90%) despite high levels of seed infection (>35%) like the improved varieties Prasad, PD-10, PD-11 and VL-62. Local cultivars China-4 and Lal dhan showed maximum germination to the range of >90% with high seedling vigour (1500–2077). The study concluded that local cultivars/landraces showing higher seed vigour despite higher levels of discoloration and seed infection are better suited for cultivation in mid-hills of Uttarakhand.