Diversity and potential of Oryza glaberrima Steud in upland rice breeding

Abstract

Oryza glaberrima Steud, the indigenous domesticated Oryza species in West Africa, is a potential source of useful genes for a range of economically important characters. Progenies from interspecific hybridization of O. sativa and O. glaberrima show high sterility in the F1 hybrids and early generations. However, in some populations fertility was obtained (5-95 %) and retained after two to four back-crossings. Although true intermediates between O. glaberrima and O. sativa were generally rare, their occurence in some populations was as high as 30 %. Desirable morphological traits introgressed from O. glaberrima into segregating BC2 F3 populations included early maturity (75-100 days), rapid seedling growth and high tillering.