Beijing, China
September 2, 2010
Author: Zhang Wenwen; Ma Xiaoqing
Source: Science Times
Through more than ten years’ painstaking research, the team led by Research Fellow Gao Lizhi of Kunming Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has accomplished their study on population genetics and conservation genetics of three wild rice species in China. Recently their research results have past the expert appraisal organized by Yunnan Provincial Office for Science and Technology Awards. The scientists have investigated the endangered status of these wild rice species, identified characteristics of their population genetic structures, and deepened the understanding on in-situ conservation and germplasm collection and conservation, which have produced scientific evidence for the research on and conservation of wild rice germplasm in China and the world at large.
In 1994, Gao Lizhi began to make systematic survey and sampling of three wild rice species distributed in China: Oryza rufipogon Griff．, Oryza officinalis Wall．ex Watt and Oryza meyeriana ssp．granulata. He studied their coenological characteristics, obtained the first-hand data about their endangered status, and concluded that Oryza rufipogon Griff．has the highest level of endangered status, followed by Oryza officinalis Wall．ex Watt and Oryza meyeriana ssp．granulata.
During the research process, the team conducted the research on population genetics and molecular ecology for over 2000 individuals of 92 populations of those wild rice species withallozyme andmicrosatellite markers, set up a DNA bank of over 4000 individuals of natural wild rice populations representing various geographical distribution and habitats across the country, and carried out the research on population ecology for Oryza rufipogon Griff．with the highest level of endangered status. The research results provided scientific evidence for the in-situ conservation of wild rice and further germplasm collection and conservation in the country.
Meanwhile, the team also analyzed the convertibility rate of 60 microsatellite sites in those wild rice species, reported the abundance level of genetic variations of rice germplasm conserved in the national germplasm bank and wild rice germplasm nursery, and scientifically evaluated the effectiveness of wild rice ex-situ conservation in China through the comparison with natural populations.
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