Identification of heat tolerant rice genotypes for north eastern region (ICAR RC NEH, Umiam) 

    A core set of 150 rice genotypes was formed from the whole genotypic set of 1100 genotypes representing all the states of NE India. The core set was grown in both ambient and elevated temperatures (+3⁰C ambient) and the data was recorded for yield, yield contributing and physiological traits.  In general, plants flowered earlier with smaller length of panicles, less number of effective tillers and plant yield. Large variation was observed among the genotypes tested. Among genotypes tested, Daya (28.62 gm), Bhalum 3 (23.07), TRC 2016-301 (22.97 gm), TRC 2016-624 (22.22 gm), Bhalum 1 (21.42 gm), TRC 2016-426 (21.11 gm) and Manipur (20.74 gm) have shown high yielding ability in elevated temperature conditions which can be further utilized in breeding program. The pollens from randomly selected plants were collected, stored and number of fertile pollens was checked using KI solution.  MEETU-6, RCPL 1-305, Saku, RCPL 1-185 and TRC 2016-76 have shown highest pollen fertility percentage (>95%) in elevated temperature.

                            Evaluation of rice genotypes for tolerance to heat