Abstract

                                CO(R) 48, a medium duration rice variety was developed to meet the fine rice requirement of Tamil Nadu. It is a derivative of the cross between CO 43 and ASD 19. It has medium tall plant stature with high biomass and grain yield. It matures in duration of 130-135 days. CO (R) 48 recorded a mean grain yield of 6007 Kg/ha in 93 trials which was 9.8 and 16.6 per cent higher than Improved White Ponni and BPT 5204 respectively. It is moderately resistant to stem borer, BPH, WBPH, GLH, blast, RTD and sheath blight. It produces medium slender white rice with high milling percentage(71.9%), good head rice recovery (70.9%), intermediate amylose content (24.9%), soft gel consistency, good linear elongation ratio (1.43) and moderate gelatinization temperature (73.14°C), the characters accounting for market preference and superior cooking quality. In view of its superior performance with higher yield, better pests and diseases resistance and superior cooking quality, the variety CO(R) 48 was released for cultivation in the irrigated ecosystems of Tamil Nadu during thaladi season.

Key words : CO(R) 48, medium duration, fine grain rice variety