Specialty native rice (Oryza sativa L.) germplasm of Uttara Kannada, India

摘要

For a long period time, the farmers of Uttara Kannada district in India have been cultivating native rice varieties adapted to specific growing situations. Unfortunately, the existence of this valuable diversity is now threatened by increasing habitatloss and the introduction of modern varieties. In this study an attempt was made to collect, evaluate and conserve this germplasm. The collection of 92 accessions (including 86 landraces and 6 cultivars) indicated considerable variability for growth andgrain characters. Indigenous knowledge from the farmers of such accessions revealed an array of specialty uses.