Field Performances of Some Sri Lankan Traditional Rice Cultivars at Reproductive Growth Phase

Abstract

Thousands of traditional rice cultivars conserved in plant genetic resource center (PGRC), Gannoruwa, Sri Lanka can be used to manipulate the genetic constitution of modern rice cultivars by conventional breeding programs or by gene transformation. Evaluation of agronomic, yield and yield attributing characters of these cultivars would lead to understand the possibility of utilization of these cultivars in local agricultural systems. Twenty Sri Lankan traditional rice cultivars were transplanted in the field at Faculty of Agriculture, Mapalana in 2012 Maha season. The experiment was carried out according to the randomized complete block design with three replicates and 2 0 plants per replicate with 15 cm X 20 cm spacing. Days to flowering, plant height, number of tillers, number of fertile tillers, filled grain percentage, 100 grain weight and yield per plant were evaluated at the reproductive stage. Muthumanikam recorded the highest average plant height (184 cm) and Yakada Wee recorded the lowest average plant height (95 cm) at reproductive stage. Kalukanda recorded the highest number oftillers per plant (7). Yakada Wee, Thawalu, Rathkaraand Masuran recorded 3 tillers per plant.Accordingto IRRI standard system, 75% of rice cultivars evaluated were very tall and 70% of rice cultivars were low tillering. There was a correlation (r = 0.452) between days to maturity and plant height at 0.05% probability level.