Traditional Rice Varieties

Traditional Rice Varieties

Subject: Agriculture

Section: Crop

Context- Biju in Odisha grows nine traditional varieties of paddy

Concept-

• Among the 40,000 varieties of rice cultivated worldwide, only two major species are cultivated widely—Oryza sativa or the Asian rice and Oryza glaberrima or the African rice.
• The cultivation of Oryza sativa is practised worldwide; however, the cultivation of the Oryza glaberrima is confined to Africa.
• The Indian rice varieties cultivated widely are Basmati, Joha, Jyothi, Navara, Ponni, Pusa, Sona Masuri, Jaya, Kalajiri (aromatic), Boli, Palakkad Matta, etc.
• The coloured variety includes
  • Himalayan red rice;
  • Matta rice, Kattamodon, Kairali, Jyothy, Bhadra, Asha, Rakthashali of Kerala;
  • Red Kavuni, Kaivara Samba, Mappillai Samba, Kuruvi Kar, Poongar of Tamil Nadu, etc.
• Biju in Odisha grows nine traditional varieties of paddy that have a longer harvest duration of 130-150 days.These include scented varieties such as Chandan Baas,Tulsi Baas, Kalkati and Baas Patri; and the unscented Saputri, Garrakanthi, Ranki, GeleiKanthi, Hi- rakani, Kulia and Darli.
• Some traditional South Indian rice varieties. a Red Kavuni. b Kaivara Samba. c Kuruvi Kar. d Poongar. e Kattu Yanam. f Koliyal. g Maappillai Samba. h Black Kavuni.
  • Kavuni possesses antimicrobial activity.
  • Kaivara Samba lowers blood sugar levels.
  • Kuruvi Kar is resistant to drought and consumed by the locals for its health benefits.
  • Poongar is consumed by women after puberty and is believed to avert ailments associated with the reproductive system.
  • Kattu Yanam lowers glucose level in blood and also imparts strength.
  • Koliyal is widely consumed as puttu, a specialty dish.
  • Mappillai Samba has a hypocholesterolemic effect and anti-cancer activity and also improves fertility in men.
  • Black Kavuni is resistant to drought and is popular among locals for its health benefits.

The shelf life of rice

• In general, it is recommended to store rice in the form of paddy rather than as milled rice, since the husk provides protection against insects and helps prevent quality deterioration.
• Rice can be stored for long periods only if the following three conditions are met and maintained:
  • (1) the moisture levels of grains, 14% or less and that of seeds must be 12% or less;
  • (2) grains must be well protected from insects, birds and rodents; and
  • (3) grains must be protected from rains or imbibing moisture from the atmosphere.

Coloured rice

• Brown rice retains its bran layer (containing vitamins, minerals and fibre), as this has not been polished more to produce white rice.
• The coloured rice varieties are either semi-polished or unpolished.
• Red-coloured rice varieties are known to be rich in iron and zinc,
• while black rice varieties are especially high in protein, fat and crude fibre.
• Red and black rice get their colour from anthocyanin pigments, which are known to have free radical scavenging and antioxidant capacities, as well as other health benefits.

Structure of rice grain

• The paddy (also, rough rice or rice grain) consists of the hull, an outer protective covering, and the fruit or rice caryopsis (brown or dehusked rice)
• Rice primarily consists of carbohydrates, proteins and small quantities of fat, ash, fibre and moisture.
• Vitamins and minerals are largely confined to the bran and germ.
• The different layers of rice contain different quantities of nutrients.
  • The bran layer is rich in dietary fibre, minerals and vitamin B complex while the aleurone layer contains the least.
  • The endosperm of rice is rich in carbohydrate and also contains a reasonable amount of digestible protein, with favourable amino acid profile than other grains.

Rice processing

• Processing of rice mainly involves milling of rice which converts paddy into rice by removing the hull and all or part of the bran layer.
• Milling of rice is a crucial stage and the objective of milling is to remove the husk and bran so as to produce an edible white rice kernel that is free from impurities.