Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the monocarpic annual plant belonging to genus Oryza of Poaceae family. The largest rice cultivars are available at International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines, with over 100000 rice accessions held in International Rice Gene Bank. ¿Rice is life¿ of the International year of rice (2004) outlined the importance of rice. Rice is a most important staple food crop in the world as well as in India. It is the rich source of energy and contains reasonable amount of protein 6-10%, carbohydrate 70-80%, mineral 1.2-2% and vitamins (Riboflavin, thiamine, niacin and vitamin E). In the rice breeding programme aimed at development of superior rice varieties for stress environments like sodic soil, the information on germplasm evaluation, character associations and genetic divergence existing in the germplasm lines or genotypes to be used in breeding programmes provides valuable help if derived in the target environment itself. This book useful for researcher, scientist and researcher students.
