Genetic Diversity Evaluation and Conservation of Kam Fragrant Glutinous Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Germplasm in Southeast Guizhou, China

Abstract

The genetic diversity of rice germplasm is the basis for increases in rice yield and quality. The collection, assessment, and protection of the genetic diversity of rice germplasm is important for achieving sustainable agriculture and assuring food security. Many underdeveloped indigenous areas have abundant and valuable rice germplasm resources. However, in-depth assessments of the genetic diversity of rice germplasm from these areas and studies related to protecting these traditional cultures are not available. In this study, from 2005 to 2016, the authors have conducted in-depth evaluation of the genetic diversity of Kam fragrant glutinous rice germplasm resources in southeast Guizhou by using multidisciplinary comprehensive methods such as ethnobotany, cultural anthropology, and modern molecular markers. In total, 376 Kam fragrant glutinous rice samples from 42 villages in the Dong community in southeast Guizhou were collected. Agronomic traits of panicles were complex and exhibited diversity. Some varieties had good disease resistance and adaptation to cold and wet climates. The Dong people named the Kam fragrant glutinous rice varieties by using seven elements, including diverse traits, growth environment, and origin. Traditional folk classification, in addition to morphology and biological analysis using molecular markers, indicates that Kam fragrant glutinous rice includes 91 varieties. Kam fragrant glutinous rice comprises a very high number of varieties, most of which are japonica-type and exhibit a high level of genetic diversity. The traditional folk classification of Kam fragrant glutinous rice by the Dong community is consistent with the biological classification. The traditional naming of Kam fragrant glutinous rice provides an important reference for understanding its genetic diversity. The high level of genetic diversity in Kam fragrant glutinous rice is not only related to the natural environment of the area but also tightly linked with the abundant and diverse Dong ethnic traditional cultures, which has led to protection of Kam fragrant glutinous rice’s genetic diversity.

Kam Sweet Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Is a Special Ecotypic Rice in Southeast Guizhou, China as Revealed by Genetic Diversity Analysis

“…Due to the influence of foreign cultures and the widespread cultivation of hybrid rice and high-efficiency cash crops, the area of traditional rice cultivation in China has declined sharply. Our previous research showed that the planting area and variety number of KSR decreased sharply (Wang Y. J. et al, 2018), and relevant results of Lei et al (2021) were also consistent with this. The number of KSR varieties in southeast Guizhou has decreased from more than 300 in the 1980s to more than 100 currently.…”

“…In terms of KSR diversity, Lei et al (2021) used 20 pairs of SSR markers to detect the genetic diversity of 95 KSR, among which 8 pairs of SSR markers were the same as those in our study, and the selection principles of SSR markers were basically similar between these two researches. However, the diversity of KSR were slightly different.…”

“…The genes controlling the desirable traits of KSR are rare and important genetic resources, making southeast Guizhou an important gene bank of rice varieties. Some scholars have analyzed the variety collection and naming of KSR ( Lei et al, 2021 ), and the genetic diversity within the KSR population ( Ma et al, 2010 ), laying a good foundation for our follow-up research. However, the experimental materials in previous studies were relatively limited and confined to a small number of KSR populations, and there was a lack of comparative studies with other local rice varieties.…”

Traditional Agricultural Management of Kam Sweet Rice (Oryza Sativa L.)in Southeast Guizhou Province, China

“…Currently, there are few systematic studies on KSR, some of which focus mainly on variety collection and naming [22] and the relationship between KSR and Dong traditional culture [28]. However, there are few systematic studies on the traditional agricultural management of KSR by combining qualitative and quantitative methods.…”

“…They produce mainly waxy rice and domesticate their nationality's unique and high-quality variety called -Kam Sweet Rice (KSR), which has the characteristics of a strong fragrance, waxiness, hard threshing and resistance to stress. It is cultivated and shaped by Dong people in thousands of years of production and life practice and cultural customs [22]. In preliminary research, out team found that KSR is closely related to the traditional food culture, festival culture, religious sacri ce and other aspects of the local Dong people [23].…”