QUALITATIVE MORPHOLOGICAL DIVERSITY OF SELECTED RICE (ORYZA SATIVA L.) GERMPLASM
Authors: Elias Jeke, Prof. James Bokosi, Dr. Rosemary Murori, Prof. Maxwell Darko Asante and Prof. Kingsley Masamba
Elias Jeke: Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, P.O. Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi & Department of Agricultural Research Services, Lifuwu Agricultural Research Station, P.O. Box 102, Salima, Malawi
Prof. James Bokosi: Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, P.O. Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi
Dr. Rosemary Murori: International Rice Research Institute Kenya, IRRI – ESA Africa Regional Office, P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi, Nairobi County, KE
Prof. Maxwell Darko Asante: CSIR – Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Crops Research Institute, P.O. Box 3785, Fumesua- Kumasi, Ghana & CSIR – Council for Scientific and Industrial Research- College of Science and Technology, Department of Plant Resources Development, P.O. Box 3785, Fumesua-Kumasi, Ghana
Prof. Kingsley Masamba: Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, P.O. Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi
ABSTRACT
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important staple foods crops whose demand is increasing mainly due to population growth and urbanization. It is ranked first in most Asian countries and second to maize in Malawi. The aim of the current study was to characterize both local and elite rice germplasm using morphological and grain quality traits in order to identify and document superior germplasm for conservation and use in further breeding programme. The experiment was conducted at Lifuwu Agricultural Research Station during the 2024/2025 rainy season in Alpha Lattice Design (ALD), with three replications and plot dimension of 5 m x 0.4 m. Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering (AHC) which was done using squared Euclidean distance and (UPGMA) in GenStat (19th Edition) classified 200 rice germplasm into six distinct groups based on morphological and grain quality traits. The germplasm with rare anthocyanin pigmentation such as G81, G83, and G91; diverse awns such as G11, G31, and G76; and variable pubescence such as G1, G2, and G32 serve as valuable donors for resilience and marker-assisted selection. Germplasm with intermediate gelatinization temperature and favorable alkali digestion (G3, G4, G8, G93, G120) are superior sources for grain quality improvement, while chalk-free germplasm (G1, G2, G75, G190) support the development of premium translucent varieties suited to Malawi’s market. The outcomes of this study have a significant contribution to rice improvement goals and objectives in identifying and documenting diverse superior germplasm for adoption by rice growers after advancement or used in further breeding programs.
Keywords: Rice Germplasm, Genetic improvement, morphological diversity, breeding programme, grain quality, Gelatinization temperature