Wild Oryza for quality improvement

Abstract

Rice consumers demand a wide range of attributes in the different types of rice produced in different regions. Wild Oryza species provide an extensive gene pool that could be used to breed rice varieties with desirable quality characteristics. More than 20 Oryza species are found around the tropical world in diverse environments and have a wide range of grain properties. Traits influencing grain appearance, nutritional value, functional quality (e.g., cooking characteristics), and processing performance may be sourced from wild species. The useful genes available include many controlling grain size and shape, grain color, and starch properties. Advances in genomic technology are making this genetic diversity more readily available for use in the genetic improvement of rice beyond just advancing yield