Assessment of phenotypic diversity in rice (Oryza sativa L.) based on qualitative traits

The experiment was conducted on 21 rice genotypes at the appropriate crop growth stages, following the distinctiveness, uniformity and stability (DUS) guidelines prescribed by the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Act (PPV & FRA, 2007), during the kharif seasons of 2022 and 2023 at the Department of Seed Science and Technology, College of Agriculture, Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University (PJTAU), Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. Among the 19 morphological traits evaluated, the traits viz., colour of awns as late-stage observation and presence of secondary branching in the panicle showed no variation among the genotypes. Seven traits exhibited 2 states, 5 traits fell into 3 phenotypic classes, 3 traits resulted in 4 different categories and 2 traits exhibited 5 states. Maximum phenotypic variation among the genotypes was recorded for traits such as leaf pubescence on the blade surface, curvature of the main axis of the panicle, colouration at the tip of the lemma, attitude of panicle branches and shape of the decorticated grain (lateral view). This characterisation of rice genotypes provides valuable information for breeders, farmers and researchers, facilitating their use in crop improvement programs and ensuring legal protection under the PPV & FRA framework.