1ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu-641007, India
2ICAR-Central Soil and Water Conservation Research & Training Institute, Dehra Dun-248006, India
3ICAR Research Complex for NEH region, Umiam-741003, India
4Division of Natural Resources Management, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, KAB II, Pusa, New Delhi-110012, India
Rice is the staple crop for the indigenous people of northeast India. Given the bioresource richness, being in the eastern Himalayan region, which is one of the mega-biodiversity hotspots globally; this part of India is acclaimed for rich agro-biodiversity. About 10000 indigenous rice cultivars are available in this region. These genotypes apart from their high adaptability to typical agro-climatic conditions of this region also possess important traits having premium values like medicinal properties, good cooking and nutritional qualities with pleasant aroma and resistance to different biotic and abiotic stresses. These landraces and native varieties specific to sites are the potential source for valuable molecular exploitation in rice breeding programmes. This paper addresses the utilization potential of genetic resources of rice in the North-east India.
Genetic diversity, North-east India, Rice
