Evaluation of Seed Morphological Characters of Landraces and Improved Varieties of Rice Using Image Analyzer

Abstract

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) serves as a staple food for over half of the global population, with traditional landraces playing a critical role in maintaining genetic diversity and adaptability. This study aimed to evaluate the morphological variation of seeds among 169 rice landraces and 24 improved varieties using Biovis image analyzer. Seed traits including length, width, length-to-width ratio, area, and other attributes were measured. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant variation among the genotypes. The results showed that traits like seed length ranged from 3.43 mm to 10.29 mm, while the length-to-width ratio (L/W) varied significantly, classifying the grains into slender, medium, and bold types. High heritability estimates for traits such as seed length (70.35%) and area (67.93%) suggest that these traits are primarily governed by genetic factors, making them ideal candidates for selection in breeding programs. Additionally, the study found that most landraces exhibited medium grain size (5.51–6.60 mm) and shape (L/W ratio of 2.1–3.0). These findings underscore the importance of rice landraces as reservoirs of genetic diversity, essential for future breeding programs and food security efforts. The study provides a foundation for the conservation and utilization of rice landraces in improving agricultural productivity and resilience.