Geographical distribution of kernel elongation gene(s) in rice.

Abstract

Geographical distribution of gene(s) governing kernel elongation was traced by studying the frequency of types showing high kernel elongation among randomly selected local types of different regions. The data revealed that Pakistan and Punjab state of India was the region with predominance of varieties showing high to very high kernel elongation. But interestingly regions in North-East India, especially Assam, had equally high frequency of varieties with very good kernel elongation. In all other regions the degree of kernel elongation ranged from low to high. Maximum concentration of varieties with better elongation ratio in Punjab appears to be result of strong consumers’ preference for such types in this region. Close phenotypic and quality similarities of well-elongating types of Punjab to types in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran as well as various other states of India strongly suggest the latter regions to be the adopted homes. The role of conscious human selection arisen as a result of strong consumer preference, in the identification, localization and spread of such special types of rice has been emphasized.