Exploration of Bengkulu local rice varieties as new germplasm for breeding: insights from agro-morphological traits to blast resistance genes

The local rice (landrace) germplasm plays a crucial role in the development of superior rice varieties. The unique advantages of local varieties, such as resistance to environmental stress, are valuable assets that must prevent extinction. Therefore, maintaining a collection of local rice germplasm is essential as a genetic resource for breeding new varieties with high yield potential, resistance to pests and diseases, early maturity, and other desirable traits. The exploration identified 30 local rice varieties with diverse agronomic characteristics. Gene identification revealed that all varieties carried the blast resistance genes Pup1 and Pib, while only a few possessed the genes Pita2, Pii, and Pik. Notably, some varieties exhibited multigenic resistance, including Segumai and Tumbar, which were found to be strong potential as new germplasm sources for blast-resistant rice breeding programs.