Wild Rice Genetic Resources in Cameroon: A Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24925/turjaf.v13is3.3973-3980.8016Keywords:
Rice, wild rice, varieties, distribution, CameroonAbstract
Rice is one of the most consumed cereals in Cameroon. The in-country production cannot satisfy the population needs. However, rice can grow in the five agro ecological zones of the country. Wild rice species are important sources of genes responsible for tolerance and/or resistance to biotic and abiotic environmental conditions. Five wild rice species (Oryza barthii A. Chev., Oryza brachyantha A. Chev. et Rhoer., Oryza longistaminata, Oryza punctata annual life span and Oryza punctata perennial life span) with four genome types (AA, BB, FF and BBCC) are found in Cameroon. These wild germplasms are useful reservoir for the improvement of the elite rice varieties. The wild rice species are not consumable and are not yet characterized per agro-ecological zone where rice is produced in the country. Therefore, more research need be done on wild rice species in Cameroon including the establishment of wild rice gene banks (ex-situ conservation) and field gene banks (in-situ conservation) for the protection of wild rice resources in the country.
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