Effect of flood on the physical quality of paddy and rice (oryza sativa L.)

Rice is a major component of the agricultural sector in particular and the overall economy in general. Flooded paddy is often sold at low price causing economical loss to the farmers. Therefore, the present study was conducted to study the physical quality properties of flood affected paddy and rice in comparison with normal paddy and rice to find the quality of various physical parameters. Statistically significant difference (P <0.05) in the physical properties such as grain hardness (N: 4.20 Kg and F: 2.91 Kg), bulk density (N: 0.85 g/ml and F: 0.82 g/ml), 1000 kernel weight (N: 15.55 g and F: 14.53 g), kernel length (N: 5.71 mm and F: 5.19 mm), L/B ratio (N: 3.59 mm and F: 3.32 mm)was found between the normal rice and flood affected rice. However, no significant difference was observed in the breadth (N: 1.59 mm and F: 1.56 mm) between the samples. Statistically significant difference was observed in the L* a* b* values in paddy, unpolished rice and polished rice except a* (Hue) value for paddy and b* (brightness) value for unpolished rice, between control and experimental samples. Therefore, further extensive research is needed for the utilization of paddy for the production of more feasible and convenient products in order to minimize the economic losses to the farmers.