Australia, the centre of diversity and the centre of origin of rice? (2015-2017)
Abstract
Wild relatives of rice are found across northern Australia. Emerging technologies for efficient whole genome sequencing will be applied to determination of the genetic diversity of these populations in relation to cultivated rice and wild rice from other parts of the world. The role of the Australian populations in the evolution of rice and the potential of these populations to contribute valuable diversity to rice crops worldwide will be analyzed. The impact of domestication on rice in Asia will be established by the characterization of the related Australian populations that were isolated from the impacts of agriculture for around 7000 years. Whole genome associations with environment will provide clues to adapting agriculture to climate.
