Research Projects

Katarni rice is one of the finest quality scented aromatic rice of Bihar. It takes 140-160 days to grow with an average yield varies from 1-1.5t/ha. It is having short grain, excellent cooking qualities, soft textures, non-sticky, unique tase and strongly aromatic characters. It got GI tag in 2018, native to Bhagalpur, Banka and Munger districts of Bihar. Marcha, a short indigenous rice variety of West Champaran District of Bihar cultivated in 6 blocks got GI tag recently in 2023 for its excellent aroma and palatability. It is also known as Morcha or Mercha. Its grain size and shape is similar to black pepper. The fragrant flattened rice (Chiwda) made from Marcha. The aroma is due to the specific agro-climatic conditions of the region, low temperature micro climate of October-November and the runoff water from the Himalayas also enriches the soil with minerals. Presently Katarni and Marcha rice is facing the danger of extinction. As we know climate change is a global issue and drought and salinity stress drastically lowers the quality and yield of Katarni rice cultivation because they need continuous irrigation. The aroma quality is degrading due to abiotic stresses. So, identifying the Key biochemical parameters and molecular cause of aroma development under both the drought and salinity will definitely strengthen and improve their cultivation. It will confirm that aroma or fragrance volatile compounds are been mainly found in the aerial parts and then it is been deposited in the grains or in the roots. So evaluation of tissue or plant part based aroma development in different stages of rice growth will be very important research under drought and salinity stress. Gene expression analysis will be carried out for both the aromatic rice mentioned in the project under drought and salinity stress both in control and treatment.The gene responsible for fragrance OsBADH2 will be assayed in both stress conditions. Globally about one-third of the rice production areas or nearly 1 billion ha of land are now affected by salinity leading to poor growth and production (Sadak et al., 2023). Early seedling stage and reproductive stage are the most sensitive stage including germination to vegetative stage (Sadak et al., 2012). Presently Katarni and Marcha rice is facing the danger of extinction. So, identifying the Key biochemical parameters and molecular cause of aroma development under both the drought and salinity will definitely strengthen and improve their cultivation