Conservation of Rice Genetic Resources: Luxury or Necessity?

There is remarkably rich diversity in the cultivated rices and their wild relatives. Substantial segments of the diverse germplasm have been collected and conserved during the past two decades by national, regional, and international research centers. Multidisciplinary and interinstitutional evaluation and use have drawn substantial rewards. However, nations in the developing world that grow and consume rice still face enormous challenges to meet the continuous growth of the human population. Further conservation efforts and improved preservation measures are needed to provide security for the irreplaceable rice germplasm. Modest inputs into conservation programs are highly justified by multibillion dollar returns from the improved varieties in the past two decades.