Genetic improvement of rice for aerobic condition-A review

Aerobic rice system is a new production system in which rice is grown under nonpuddled, nonflooded, and non-saturated soil conditions. New cultivars must be developed if growing rice like an irrigated upland crop is to be successful. Lowland cultivars have been selected to give high yields under continuously flooded lowland conditions. They generally suffer a yield loss due to water stress, weeds and non-availability of nutrients under aerobic condition. Upland varieties have been developed to give stable though low yields in adverse environments where rainfall is low and irrigation is absent. Therefore, high yielding aerobic rice varieties suitable for cultivation under aerobic conditions are warranted. Research programmes on genetic improvement of rice for aerobic condition had resulted in release of the first generation aerobic rice varieties with high yield potential and they can be cultivated in water shortage areas of lowland rice.