Morphological characterization of 12 advanced coloured rice genotypes was carried out using 39 morphological descriptors during Kharif, 2021 at Agricultural Research Station, Bapatla and the results revealed that 20 out of 39 characters showed variation. Estimates of Shannon weaver diversity indices for the characters studied ranged from 0 to 0.81. The highest diversity index of 0.81 was exhibited by the Flag leaf: attitude of the blade (late observation). Cluster analysis revealed that BPT2858 from cluster I was unique when compared to other cultures. DUS characterization of advanced rice genotypes helps the plant breeder to maintain the cultures with 100 % genetic purity and the cultures can also be used as parents in the breeding programmes based on the objective.

In recent years, leaf folder incidence has been increasing in all rice ecosystems and is abundant during the wet season. Presently farmers are dependent on the use of toxic chemical pesticides alone for their management. Hence, an attempt was made to nominate genotypes developed at Agriculture Research Station, Bapatla for screening against leaf folder under the AICRIP entomology program. Of the 16 genotypes evaluated at multi- locations during the Kharif season for two years, 2020 and 2021, BPT 2699 was found promising in 2-8 locations. BPT 3034 and BPT 3059 were promising in 2-6 locations, four entries BPT 2677, BPT 2954, BPT 3049 and BPT 2932 were promising in 3- 5 locations. The majority of these entries consistently outperformed the check variety (TN1) for leaf folder resistance and can be used as donors in future breeding programmes.