G X E Interaction and Genetic Divergence Study in Aromatic Rice

Present study was undertaken with thirty aromatic rice genotype grown in four environments (24 June and 14 July sown for two years; kharif 2008 and 2009) in randomized block design following standard package of practices for aromatic rice at rice research field, RAU, Pusa, Bihar. Observations were recorded on twenty one morpho-physiological and quality traits. NDR 6235 was the best and significantly out yielded with an average yield of 2965.37 kg/ha followed by Narendra Lalmati (2889.94 kg/ha), NDR 9542 (2868.12 kg/ha) and Birsamati (2708.5kg/ha) over all environments. Among the different date of sowing, E3 (24 June, 2009) gave the highest grain yield followed by E1 (24 June, 2008) and it was minimum in E2 (14 July, 2008) followed by E4 (14 July, 2009). Thus to realize optimum yields, sowing should be done in second fortnight of June. Four crosses, Badsahbhog X Pusa Sugandh 3, Badsahbhog X Jasmaine, Badsahbhog X Sanwal Basmati and Badsahbhog X Rajendra Kasturi have been suggested for the improvement of yield and quality characters through selection breeding programme. Farmers can adapt cultivation of premium quality aromatic rices viz. Sanwal Basmati, Pusa Sugandh 3 and Jasmaine