Rice Research Proposal
Rice research at RES in 2007 will continue toward the primary objective of
developing improved rice varieties for California. The search, interview, and
selection process for a medium grain breeder to overlap and transition with Dr.
Johnson's anticipated retirement in 2008 is continuing, as it is to fill the
vacant short grain breeding position. We are planning to fill both positions
this season. Considerable time and effort is being devoted to recruitment of
staff.
Project leaders will concentrate efforts on developing rice varieties for the
traditional medium, short, and long-grain market classes. Research efforts will
continue to improve and develop specialty rice such as waxy (mochi or sweet)
rice, aromatic rice, and others as an adjunct breeding effort. Major breeding
emphasis will continue on improving grain quality, yield and disease resistance.
Efforts will be made to effectively use new as well as proven breeding, genetic,
and analytical techniques. RES staff will be working to expand DNA marker
screening capabilities. Following are the major research areas of the RES Rice
Breeding Program planned for short, medium, and long-grain types in 2007.
Quality
Efforts to identify, select, and improve culinary and milling quality in all grain types will continue to receive major emphasis. Improved techniques for cooking evaluations are being used and screening for cooking quality expanded. The RES quality lab is supporting quality evaluation and research for variety development.
Resistance to Disease
The RES Rice Breeding Program is continuing efforts to improve disease resistance in our California varieties. Evaluation and screening for stem rot and sheath spot resistance will be conducted by the plant pathologist on segregating populations, advanced breeding lines, and current varieties. Rice blast disease presents an additional threat to California. Research and breeding activities to address rice blast have been implemented and greenhouse screening for resistance is continuing. M-208, an improved medium grain with resistance to blast race IG-1, was released in 2006 and efforts to develop improved blast resistant varieties will continue. The Pathology Project is proceeding forward on large scale backcrossing efforts to transfer disease resistance into selected varieties, primarily medium grain. Marker-aided selection will be a part of this effort as will the use of new sources of resistance. New resistant sources and foreign germplasm will continue to be evaluated as potential parental material. Foreign germplasm will be introduced through quarantine for use in breeding and research.
Yield
Yield is a complex character that results from the combination of many agronomic traits. Emphasis will continue on breeding varieties with high grain yield potential, minimal straw for high yield, and more stable yields while maintaining and/or improving grain quality.
Tolerance to Low Temperature
Tolerance to low temperature remains an essential character needed at
seedling and reproductive stage in California rice varieties. Segregating
populations and advanced experimental lines will continue to be screened in the
San Joaquin nursery for resistance to blanking, normal vegetative growth,
minimum delay in maturity, and uniform grain maturity. Selection at UCD may be
discontinued due to concerns about adjacent UC research activities. Expanded
large plot yield testing is being considered at the San Joaquin nursery site.
Cold tolerance data will include two seeding dates of advanced material at RES,
UCCE Statewide Yield Tests, refrigerated greenhouse tests, and data from the UCD,
San Joaquin, and Hawaii nurseries.
Lodging and Maturity
Improved lodging resistance will receive continued emphasis in all stages of variety development. Efforts will continue to develop improved varieties that have a range of maturity dates with major emphasis placed on early, very early rice, synchronous heading, and uniformity of ripening.
Seedling Vigor
Selection and evaluation for seedling vigor will continue on all breeding material.
Cooperative Projects
Cooperative research by the rice breeding program staff with USDA, UC,
RiceCAP and others in the area of biotechnology, genetics, quality, agronomy,
entomology, plant pathology, and weed control will be continued in 2007.
Emphasis will be placed on applied research and more basic studies that may
contribute to variety improvement.
Rice Research Priorities and Areas of Breeding Research
General Rice Research Objectives of Rice Experiment Station
The primary research objective of RES is development of high yielding and
quality rice varieties of all grain types (short, medium, long) and market
classes to enhance marketing potential, reduce cost, and increase profitability
of rice. Rice breeding research priorities at RES can be divided into general
priorities, that are applicable to all rice varieties developed for California,
and specific priorities, that may differ between grain types, market classes,
special purpose types, and the special interests of the plant breeding team
members.
A secondary but important objective is to support and enhance UC and USDA rice
research through cooperative projects and by providing land, water, and input
resources for weed control, insect, disease, and other disciplinary research.
General Rice Breeding Priorities Applicable to All Public California Rice Varieties
High and stable yield potential
Cold tolerance
Lodging resistance
Resistance to blast, stem rot, and aggregate sheath spot
diseases
Seedling vigor
Early maturity
Synchronous heading and maturity
Improved head rice milling yields
High quality rice consistent with grain type, market class,
or special use
Develop and utilize DNA marker assisted selection
Specific Rice Breeding Priorities by Grain Type, Market Class, and Special Use
Short Grains and Premium Quality Medium Grains
Develop premium quality short-grain Japanese type rice
varieties
Improve premium quality M-401 type medium grains
Improve California short grains
Improve waxy (sweet) rice varieties
Improvement of low amylose rice
Develop bold grain Arborio type rice
Rice water weevil resistance
Calrose Type Medium-Grains
Improve conventional medium grains
Improve blast resistant medium grains
Increase genetic diversity
Utilize DNA markers for blast resistance genes with USDA
researchers
Evaluate deep water germplasm
Long Grains
Superior quality for table and processing
Improve head rice milling yields and fissuring resistance
Improve basmati types
Develop Jasmine types
Develop aromatic types
Improve cold tolerance
Improve SR and blast resistance
Rice Pathology
Screening and evaluation of advanced breeding lines
for blast, stem rot, sheath spot, and bakanae.
Facilitate transfer of stem rot and aggregate sheath spot
disease resistance from wild species of rice and disease resistance genes
identified in RiceCAP
Mapping of stem rot resistance genes and marker aided
selection for stem rot and blast in conjunction with USDA Rice Geneticist and
UCD researchers
Facilitate transfer of wide spectrum blast resistance genes
to adapted medium grains using accelerated backcrossing, screening, and
selection for resistance.
Last updated: 06/11/2007