Genetic resources of rice in the Western Himalayan region of India: current status

Abstract

The Western Himalayan region of India possesses rich genetic diversity of rice (Oryza sativa L.). Rice landraces having withstood the rigors of biotic and abiotic stresses, suit to the local conditions of farms and reflect socio-cultural preferences can still be found in crop fields located distantly in rural and tribal areas. This region is known for growing World fame basmati in the foot hills and many varieties of red rices grown at higher elevations, known for cold tolerance and medicinal properties. Genetic resources of rice were collected for about 8 years (1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006) and 1069 germplasm accessions including 154 named landraces were collected. Prominent landraces such as Begumi, Ramjwain, Thapachini, Naurang, Hansraj, Tilakchandan, Lalsati, Jhini, Mushakbudji, Jattoo, Barpasso, Qadirbeigh, Safedbrez, Shahie known for their special quality attributes were collected. The change in land use, cropping patterns and aggressive introduction of modern varieties in the region has resulted in the loss of a large number of landraces especially from irrigated lands. The present paper looks at the status of rice genetic resources, genetic variability, genetic erosion and future strategies to conserve rice germplasm on farm and to maximize its use in rice breeding.

Characterisation of aromatic rice (Oryza sativa L.) germplasm and correlation between their agronomic and quality traits

“…The large scale spread of modern, high yielding varieties has replaced the traditional varieties especially in the irrigated rice ecosystem leading to reduced genetic base and thus increased genetic vulnerability. In past few decades, increase in share of high yielding varieties and shrinkage in the area of local varieties have been reported in India (Hore 2005;Patil and Patil 1994;Rana et al 2009) as well as in several other countries (Bhatti 1998;Chaudhary et al 2006;Itani 1993;Juma 1989). In view of collecting the germplasm, a special drive was undertaken for upland paddy varieties cultivated in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and five other states resulted in collection of 1,938 cultivars.…”

“…Parts of Maharashtra were also explored during joint explorations led by Kihara in the early 1960s and Watabe in the late 1960s and early 1970s (Singh et al 2000b). Even though all these explorations have resulted in a large assembly of aromatic rice cultivars maintained as working/ active collections/base collections at various gene banks, majority of the accessions lack precise information on important traits (Rana et al 2009). Our earlier studies involving some aromatic rice cultivars from Maharashtra using molecular markers revealed high genetic diversity (Mathure et al 2010).…”

Morpho-agronomic and simple sequence repeat-based diversity in colored rice (Oryza sativa L.) germplasm from peninsular India

“…The common rice has white grain, but colored rices (red, black, brown, yellow and brownish white) are also cultivated in some traditional rice-growing areas of Asia (Rahman et al 2006;Rana et al 2009). Colored rices are preferred because of various factors, such as nutritional and medicinal value, exclusive taste, ritual requirements, and traditional considerations (Meera and Potty 1999;Frei and Becker 2005;Rahman et al 2006;Deepa et al 2008;Rana et al 2009). Compared to common rice, these have higher concentrations of protein, total essential amino acids, vitamin B 1 and minerals and the concentrations vary with genotypes (Suzuki et al 2004;Yoshida et al 2010).…”

“…Compared to common rice, these have higher concentrations of protein, total essential amino acids, vitamin B 1 and minerals and the concentrations vary with genotypes (Suzuki et al 2004;Yoshida et al 2010). In India colored rices are prevalent in pockets in South, North western and North eastern Himalayan region (Deepa et al 2008;Rana et al 2009). …”

Collection and agro-morphological characterization of aromatic short grain rice in eastern India

“…These landraces are the reservoir of many useful genes (Siddiq, 1992). But the large-scale spread of high yielding varieties has replaced the traditional varieties leading to narrow genetic base, loss and shrinkage in the areas of local varieties (Hore, 2005;Rana et al, 2009). Jepore tract of Orissa is the putative secondary centre of origin of cultivated rice and having greatest variability (Richharia, 1979).…”