**3.1 Pureline selection**

Pureline selection is oldest breeding method used in development of new aromatic rice varieties. Breeding for Basmati rice started with pureline selection in 1920's at two research stations; Kala Shah Kaku (Punjab state, now in Pakistan) and Nagina (Uttar Pradesh, India) [3]. The very first Basmati variety Basmati-370 was developed through pureline selection in 1933, at Kala Shah Kaku Research station by Late Sardar Mohammad. Few other Basmati varieties developed at these two research station were Basmati-217, Type-3, Type-23, N-10-B, N-12, Muskan, Begumi and Hansraj [8]. Among these, Basmati-217, Type-3 and Basmati-370 are still recognized as Basmati variety in India. A list of aromatic varieties (other than Basmati) developed through pureline selection is given below (**Table 5**).
