Suitability of Vyttila-4 as a rice variety for coastal saline areas

Abstract

A breeding programme was undertaken at the Rice Research Station, Vyttila to evolve high yielding saline tolerant rice variety suitable for pokkali ecosystem. A cross was made between Chettivirippu and IR 4630-22-2-17 and effective selection was made for the high yielding saline tolerant genotypes suited to coastal saline soils. The selected genotype K AU 906 performed best in comparative yield trials, farm trials and national level screening trials. The high yield of the genotype is mainly due to higher number of productive tillers and filled grains per panicle, low sterility percentage and higher 1000 grain weight. The genotype was also found to be having maximum stability of performance over years and was released as Vyttila 4 for cultivation in coastal saline soils.