Cultivars effect on the physical characteristics of rice (rough and milled) (Oryza Sativa L.) of temperate region of Kashmir (India).

The aim of present research was to evaluate physical and engineering properties of traditional paddy and rice cultivars native to temperate region of India. Length, width, thickness, equivalent diameter, surface area, aspect ratio, volume, bulk density, true density, porosity, thousand kernels weight, angle of repose and coefficient of friction were evaluated, which are required in designing of various post harvest operations and storage structures. The low bulk density of cultivars, Mushki budgi, Mushki tujan and Kaw kareed may be due to the presence of long awns possessed by these cultivars which were bulky and occupied more space. The wide variations were found in rice kernels with respect to colour, which determined the functional properties and energy requirement during polishing of these cultivars. Results indicated significant differences in the physical properties among various paddy and brown rice cultivars when compared with earlier reported results. Thousand kernel weight, width, arithmetic mean diameter and equivalent diameter showed significant positive correlations with spherecity, surface area, volume, true density, and angle of repose; but negatively correlated with bulk density. These desirable characteristics exploit agriculturists/institutions to preserve these races and encourage farmers to cultivate these cherished rice cultivars.