Wild Rice Genetic Resources in Thailand

Abstract

Thailand is considered as one of the richest rice genetic resources both wild rice and cultivated species that have been found from exploration. There were 807 accessories of five wild rice species that had been collected during 1981 – 2002 from all regions namely the North, Lower North, Central Plain, Northeast I and II; Western, Eastern South I and II and Bangkok area. There are five species of wild rice exit namely Oryza rufipugon, O.nivara, O.fooicinalis, O.ridleyi, O.granulata and their descriptions are included. O.rufipogon and O.nivara as well as spontanea form are recognized as the ancestors of Asian rice and are commonly found throughout the country. All species normally present in diversed water conditions especially in open habitat. O.nivara is found more frequently in the North and Northeast than other regions while O.officinalis and O.granulata are mostly dominant in limited area under shaded habitat with relatively dry land. All collected wild rice samples have been conserved in the National Rice Seed Laboratory for Genetic resources, Pathum Thani Rice Research Centre, Rice Department. Seed rejuvenation and seed multiplication of wild rice is usually performed as well as seed service of wild rice germplasm for breeding research program both in the country and international organization abroad.