Protecting the heritage of rice biodiversity |
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| Authors: | Michael T Jackson |
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| Institution: | (1) Genetic Resources Center, International Rice Research Institute, PO Box 933, 1099 Manila, Philippines |
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| Abstract: | The development of improved rice varieties depends upon access to the genetic resources of rice. These are represented by the thousands of locally adapted varieties that farmers have grown for generations, and over 20 wild rice species native to Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Rice genetic resources are threatened with extinction in farming systems when farmers adopt improved varieties, and the wild species may be lost through destruction of their habitats.IRRI has been at the forefront of international efforts for three decades to collect and conserve the biodiversity of rice. More than 80,000 samples of cultivated and wild rices are conservedex situ in the genebank at IRRI.In situ conservation of rice genetic resources is likely to become an important complementary strategy in the future.Through utilization of rice germplasm, resistances to pests and diseases have been incorporated into improved varieties. These are shared worldwide through the International Network for Genetic Evaluation of Rice (INGER). The impact of biotechnology and intellectual property rights on germplasm conservation is discussed. |
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