Abstract:
Physical properties of rice are important for rice varietal identification and one of the
important aspects of the rice grain quality. This study evaluated the physical properties
(PP) of 24 widely cultivated new improved and traditional rice varieties (RVs) of Sri
Lanka. The selected RVs included 13 new improved (Bg 300, Bg 352, Bg 358, Bg 94-
1, At 362, Bg 359, At 353, Bg 357, Bg 360, Bg 379-2, Bg 366, Bg 403, and At 307) and
11 traditional RVs (Suwandal, Kuruluthuda, Pachchaperumal, Kahawanu, Kalu Heeneti,
Sudu Heeneti, Goda Heeneti, Madathawalu, Dik Wee, Pokkali, and Masuran). As PP,
grain length (n=6), width (n=6), size (n=5), shape (n=5), and colour (n=5) were evaluated
using internationally accepted standard protocols. The grain length, width and length
to width ratio of selected RVs ranged from 3.97±0.04-6.25±0.04 mm, 2.08±0.03-
2.87±0.03 mm, and 1.56±0.00-2.82±0.00, respectively. The size of the selected RVs
was mostly short (62.5%), while rest were medium (37.5%). The short grain RVs were
Bg 352, Bg 358, Bg 359, Bg 360, Bg 379-2, Bg 403, At 307, Suwandal, Kuruluthuda,
Pachchaperumal, Kahawanu, Kalu Heeneti, Goda Heeneti, Madathawalu, and Masuran.
The shape of the selected RVs was mostly bold (83.3%), while rest were round (16.7%).
The round shape RVs were Bg 358, Suwandal, Kuruluthuda, and Kahawanu. The L*,
a*, and b* values of whole grain (pericarp) and paddy (husk) ranged from 34.15±0.64-
69.63±1.36, 34.15±0.41-69.63±0.35 and 18.25±0.29-23.57±0.24, and 37.59±0.94-
59.87±0.80, 4.41±0.15-13.66±0.54 and 14.95±0.76-32.66±0.39, respectively. The
pericarp colour was either white (54.2%) or red (45.8%). The white pericarp RVs were
Bg 300, Bg 352, Bg 358, Bg 94-1, Bg 359, Bg 357, Bg 360, Bg 379-2, Bg 366, Bg 403, At
307, Suwandal, and Kahawanu. The husk colour ranged from light brown to black. Only
Kalu Heeneti had black husk colour, while Masuran, Pokkali, and Suwandal had dark
brown husk colour. It can be concluded that the selected RVs of Sri Lanka were mostly
short and bold.
