Abstract:
: Rice is the major food for more than half of the world population. Sri Lankan traditional
rice varieties have a high genetic diversity and hence, a huge potential for important characters. A
morphological study is the initial step towards genetic characterization. This study was aimed to
evaluate the variability of selected Sri Lankan traditional rice varieties with respect to morphological
characters. Seeds of 24 varieties and IR64 were selected for this study. A pot experiment with
Complete Randomized Design (CRD) was used and five replicates were prepared. Fifteen characters
were measured using standards published by IRRI. Principal component analysis (PCA) and
single linkage cluster analysis were performed. Selected rice varieties were grouped into 5 clusters
at 15 minimum distance level. Cluster I comprises twenty one varieties and other four clusters
comprise single variety each. Varieties including Goda heenati, Thawalu, Al wee, Goda el wee,
Pachchaperumal, Godamanel, Goda wee, Kottiyaran, Kara el, Batapola el, Pokkali, Hetada wee,
Moddai karuppan, Vannam villai, Kalu heenaty, Sudu heenaty, Pola el, Kalu bala wee, Kahatawalu,
Dahanala and Niyan wee were clustered in one cluster showing high homology. IR64, Gonabaru,
Rathl and Ma wee were clustered in different clusters indicating their significant difference from
cluster I. First five principle components (PCs) were significant and they accounted for 79 % of
total variation. Selected varieties have a significant difference according to clustering pattern.
Significant descriptors of PC1 to PC5 can be used to differentiate selected varieties.
