Biotechnology for rice breeding: progress and impact

摘要

Rice is the most important food crop and the staple food for 40 percent of the world population. More than 90 percent of rice is produced and consumed in Asia. It is grown under a wide range of agroclimatic conditions. There have been major advances in increasing rice production worldwide thanks to the large-scale adoption of modem high-yielding rice varieties and improved cultural practices. World rice production more than doubled from 257 million tonnes (Mt) in 1966 to 599 Mt in 2000. This was mainly achieved through the application of the principles of classical Mendelian genetics and conventional plant breeding methods. The current world population of 6.1 billion is expected to reach 8.0 billion by 2030 and rice production must increase by 50 percent in order to meet the growing demand. If this goal is to be met, it is necessary to use rice varieties with higher yield potential, durable resistance to diseases and insects and tolerance to abiotic stresses.