Fifteen cultivars of purple rice, including eleven of glutinous rice and four of nonglutinous
rice, were studied for diversity, culture, and utilization in Northeastern Thailand. The
morphological study found a difference in terms of color of leaf blade, leaf sheath, ligule, leaf
collar, auricle, and husk and grain width and length. 28 morphological characteristics were
used for the purple rice classification using UPGMA method and Principal Coordinate Analysis
by NTSYS program. The results of the analysis showed the genetic similarity at 0.54-0.87
which could be divided into 3 groups. The purple rice is a source of household income of the
farmers. A certain amount of the rice is spared and exchanged for ritual purposes. The purple
rice is believed to be sacred among the Northeastern farmers. They hold high regard of it as a
queen of rice due to it can be grown only during the annual planting season. The farmers
believe that the purple rice protects other rice varieties from diseases and insect pests; acts as an
insect repellant, and induces the white rice growth. In terms of utilization, the purple rice can be
consumed either as a staple diet or as a healthy drink. Moreover, the purple rice can be used as a
kind of herbs for its medicinal property. The result demonstrated that diversity of the purple rice
has both cultural and ecological significances. In addition, it can be shown as sa geographic
indicator. Thus, it is recommended that further studies concerning promotion and conservation
of local wisdom relating to the purple rice diversity, utilization and significance should be
encouraged by both government and private sectors.
Keywords
morphological characteristics, glutinous rice, non-glutinous rice, local wisdom
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY
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