Genetic resources

Sugandha Samba (RNR2465), first-ever highyielding, aromatic, short-grained rice variety of Andhra Pradesh, India
S.Vanisree, P.N. Reddy, Ch. Surender Raju, B.G. Reddy, R. Jagadeeswar, R.G. Verma, Y. Suryanarayana, L. Krishna, and P. Raghava Reddy, Rice Section, Agricultural Research Institute, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU), P.O. Box 500030, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India E-mail: vanisree_dhar@yahoo.com, vanisreedhar1994@gmail.com

Sugandha Samba (RNR2465) was the first aromatic, high-yielding, semidwarf, medium-duration (130135 d), medium-slender rice variety released in Andhra Pradesh by the State Variety Release Committee in April 2010. Developed using the pedigree method, this variety has two quality rice varieties, early samba (RNR-M7) and RNR19994, as the female and male parent, respectively. Rice farmers from the Telangana region have persistently required highyielding, semidwarf, aromatic, short-grained varieties to replace the existing lowyielding (22.5 t ha1), tall and lodging, local aromatic landraces such as Chittimutyalu, Undraja, Godavari Isukalu, and Rajanalu. The plant type of these tall landraces limited the scope for raising productivity further because of their tendency to lodge under high-input management. ANGRAU scientists made efforts to meet farmers requirements and succeeded in developing Sugandha Samba. This variety recorded a grain yield of 67 t ha1 under good management, comparable with that of Samba Mahsuri (BPT5204), the most popular megavariety released by ANGRAU. It registered 70% head rice recovery and had excellent cooking quality and strong aroma (Table 1).

2011, Vol. 36

International Rice Research Notes (0117-4185)

Genetic resources

Table 1. Quality characteristics of RNR2465.

Hulling (%) Milling (%) Head rice recovery (%) Kernel length (mm) Kernel breadth (mm) Kernel L/B Grain type Grain chalkiness Volume expansion ratio Water uptake (mL) Kernel length after cooking (mm) Kernel elongation ratio Alkali spreading value Amylose content (%) Gel consistency Aroma 79.2 72.4 69.9 4.76 1.77 2.68 Medium slender Absent 4.4 290 9.1 1.89 7.0 22.32 22 Strongly scented

Under late-planting conditions, it likewise recorded a yield advantage over the best check, Samba Mahsuri (Table 2).
Table 2. Performance of RNR2465 under late-planting conditions.a
Variety RNR2465 BPT5204 NLR34449 JGL1798
a

Grain yield (t ha1) 7.45 a 5.58 b 5.79 b 7.05 a

Days to 50% flowering 103 b 112 a 98 b 99 b

Height (cm) 89.2 a 81.8 b 77.2 b 95.7 a

Ear-bearing tillers m2 (no.) 368 b 320 b 424 a 312 b

Location: Kampasagar, Nalgonda District; date of sowing: 6-8-09; date of planting: 8-9-09. Values having similar letters in a column do not differ significantly at P<0.05, according to Duncans multiple range test.

In the All-India Coordinated Rice Improvement Program trials during kharif 2008 conducted by the Directorate of Rice Research, Sugandha Samba ranked second in region IV (western region comprising Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa). Its performance was impressive, even under low-input management and organic farming. Further, minikit trials in farmers fields all over Andhra Pradesh revealed an average yield superiority of 11.1% over the best check, Samba Mahsuri.

2011, Vol. 36

International Rice Research Notes (0117-4185)