Rainfed rice - IRRI books - International Rice Research Institute

Improving the Yields of
Traditional Varieties to
Conserve Biodiversity
N
ortheast India has remained geographically isolated,
undisturbed and little explored, which, combined with unique
environmental situations and topographical variations, made room
for the wide genetic variability of rice. The selections made through trial
and error by various ethnic groups practising different forms of agriculture
in different altitudes and agro-climatic situations have contributed to the
diversity of the rice crop. The total number of landraces in this region was
estimated to be 8,000. Of these, 6,630 accessions called the Assam Rice
Collection (ARC) were explored earlier.
The traditional rice cultivars of
northeast India have many valuable
genes possessing resistance to
various biotic and abiotic stresses,
and unique quality and plant
architecture.
Remember. . .
When farmers increase the yield of
traditional varieties, using simple methods,
they will have a bigger incentive to continue
to raise these traditional varieties, thereby
saving them for future generations.
Moreover, these valuable materials will
continue to evolve to adapt to the changing
environment.
With the advent of modern varieties
and improved rice production
technology, several of these
traditional varieties have been driven towards extinction. Immediate steps
need to be taken to save them. One way to do this is to help farmers
increase the production of these varieties through simple management
techniques.
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