Sustainable genetic diversity is essential for the sustainable agriculture. Crop improvement is solely depending upon the availability of folk varieties because that are evolved for their adaptation to wide range of environmental condition. Conservation and intensifying cultivation of traditional crop varieties is only way to cope up from future food crisis. Fifty-five traditional rice varieties were collected from repository of ARSW society for study the distinctiveness among the varieties. Randomized complete block design was followed for the cultivation of the varieties in on farm condition and Eight important characters (Basal leaf sheath colour, stem length, 50% flowering, grain length, grain shape, grain colour, amylose content and aroma) were used for the establishment of the distinctness among the rice landraces. Agrmorphic and stress resistant characterization of fifty-five rice landraces was done according to DUS testing at test farm during Kharif season of 2017. All varieties were found distinct in accordance of DUS guidelines in this study. In addition to distinctiveness, landraces like Analaya, Vutmuri, Kelsh, Daharlagra, Dharansal, Patnai-23, Nonabokra, Sindurmukhi and Kataribhog are resistant to drought stress. These varieties may play an important role in crop improvement and sustainable agriculture.
