Physicochemical properties and morphological observations of selected local rice varieties in northern Afghanistan

In this study, milled rice ( Oryza sativa L.) samples of local varieties (Sarda Barah, Garma Barah, Surkha Zurahti and Shah Lawangi ) were procured from Kunduz province, Afghanistan and check varieties (Koshihikari and Super Basmati) from Japan. We conducted the research in the Laboratory of Crop Science of Ibaraki University, Japan during February in 2018, to clarify the physicochemical and morphological traits on different local rice varieties. The results demonstrated that local rice varieties (Sarda Barah, Garma Barah, Surkha Zurahti and Shah Lawangi ) from Afghanistan including Super Basmati (Check) with long and slender grains, associated with significantly higher grain amylose and protein contents of 22.9 and 8.1%, respectively, which created in declined taste points. While, Koshihikari with short and medium grain types demonstrated the lowest grain amylose and protein contents of 17.7 and 5.5%, respectively, which amplified grain taste point. The micrographs observations revealed that there were no obvious alterations in the endosperm of translucent grains across varieties. In contrast, the endosperm of chalky grains in local rice varieties were differed compared to check varieties (Super Basmati and Koshihikari), irregularly developed starch granules together with single spherical shape and dent-portion on their surfaces with numerous airgaps were observed due to high temperature. Such irregular arrangement leads in lower grain weight and quality.