We launched the second edition of our Tamil book, “TRADITIONAL RICE VARIETIES OF TAMILNADU – A COMPENDIUM”, during our Foundation Day event held on 23rd January 2024, in Chennai.

Authors- A.V.Balasubramanian, K.Vijayalakshmi, K.Parimala, Subashini Sridhar, K.Subramanian, S.Vetriselvan, M.J.Rubilah

Editors- K.Vijayalakshmi, K.Parimala.

This new publication is an updated, expanded, and reprinted version, providing details on 150 Traditional Rice varieties (TRVs) in Tamil through the following chapters.

1. Introduction– This chapter explores the abundance and diversity of traditional rice varieties in India, their adaptability to diverse environments and unique attributes. It also discusses the importance of conserving these traditional varieties.
2. Techniques involved in Organic Paddy Cultivation– This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of organic paddy cultivation, outlining the process from seed selection to harvest. Additionally, it briefly discusses the system of rice intensification method in paddy cultivation.
3. CIKS work on conservation of TRV– This chapter provides a detailed explanation of various conservation methods, including Insitu and Exsitu conservation approaches. It also discusses the role and experiences of CIKS in implementing the Insitu conservation method.
4. Agronomic Properties of TRV– The information provided in this chapter assists readers in selecting the appropriate paddy variety based on their land type and water availability (For instance, in areas near lake regions, Samba Mosanam is recommended due to its flood tolerant ability to grow above water levels). The chapter covers details such as crop duration in days, crop height in centimeters, number of grains per panicle, grain yield per acre in kilograms, straw yield per acre in kilograms and the dry weight of 1000 paddy grains in grams. We document a total of 21 such morphological characters.
5. The study of Nutritional and Therapeutic Properties of TRV– CIKS engages in diverse research endeavors to document the nutritional and medicinal attributes of TRV. This chapter delves into the specifics of the moisture, ash, protein, fat, total fiber, carbohydrate, energy, potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and phosphorus composition of 111 TRV. It further elucidates the therapeutic properties correlated with the nutrient profiles of these varieties. Additionally, a comparative analysis of the nutritional content against the standards set by the National Institute of Nutrition is also provided.
6. Profile of 150 TRV– This chapter provides comprehensive information on the historical origins of names, cropping seasons, crop durations, agronomic characteristics, rice traits, popular dishes, as well as the nutritional and therapeutic properties of 150 TRV.
7. References– This covers technical publications in both English and Tamil, CIKS publications in English and Tamil, and CIKS’s internal sources.

This publication, “Traditional Rice Varieties of Tamilnadu – A Compendium” (Tamil), has been supported by Supraja Foundation, WOKA Foundation, TURBO Energy Private Limited, and MCRC Trust.

Click the cover image below to download the book for free.