Identification of aromatic short grain rice varieties based on potassium hydroxide test

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out at laboratory in the Department of Seed Science and Technology OUAT Bhubaneswar. To identify aromatic short grain rice varieties by using potassium hydroxide test. The leachates of the seeds react with alkali to produce colour with different intensity which could be used in characterization of rice cultivars. KOH test is useful in identification of red kernel rice genotypes. In the present study, among thirty aromatic short grain rice varieties all aromatic short grain varieties reacted positively to potassium hydroxide test. Based on potassium hydroxide test, the aromatic short grain rice varieties were classified in to five groups as yellow (V1/V3, V4, V6, V7, V8, V9, V11, V12, V13, V14, V15, V16, V17, V18, V20, V23, V24, V25, V26, V27, V28 & V29) light yellow (V21), light brown (V19), brown (V2 & V30) and wine red (V5, V10 and V22). Thus based on the colour reaction of palea and lemma of seeds to potassium hydroxide test can be effectively distinguished.