Screening of rice cultivars for aroma at various growth stages under different dates of sowing in Konkan conditions

Aroma is a critical quality attribute in rice, significantly influencing consumer preference and market value. This study investigated the aroma profiles of fifteen rice cultivars, including local and released varieties grown in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, India. The research explored the impact of growth stage (seedling, flowering, maturity) and sowing date on aroma expression. A sensory-based aroma test was conducted across different growth stages—seedling, flowering, and maturity—to assess aroma intensity using 1.7% KOH solution. Results revealed substantial variation in aroma profiles among the tested cultivars. PR-115 consistently exhibited a strong aroma across all growth stages and sowing dates, suggesting its potential stability and suitability for the region. BM-4 demonstrated a mild scent at seedling, maturity, and after cooking, but a strong scent at the flowering stage, indicating a dynamic aroma profile influenced by developmental stage. While most genotypes displayed mild to strong aroma at flowering, a smaller subset retained aroma at maturity and after cooking, highlighting the potential loss of aroma during grain development and processing. These findings contribute to identifying superior aromatic rice cultivars adapted to Konkan's specific environmental conditions and inform strategies for optimizing planting schedules to enhance aroma and yield.