Abstract:
The excellent rice biodiversity of old alluvial region of North and South Dinajpur
district in West Bengal had a long history and it had been developed through
evolutionary process over a long period of time and sustained through ages by
maintaining a perfect interaction with the environment and ecosystem. However, that
rich rice biodiversity is under threat as most of the varieties are extinct only with some
exception. The existing indigenous rice landraces have been studied based on their
associated ethnic cultivation techniques, adaptation, stress tolerance, morphological
and physiological characters, overall production and current existence status. The
landraces are well adapted under various agro-ecological conditions. Diversity can
be observed in their morphological and physiological characters, tolerance to stress
and response to different traditional agro techniques. The existence of these varieties
are either because of their extra ordinary adaptation or stress tolerance character
or excellent grain quality and therefore, high market price. Involvement of certain
cultivars in ethnic and socio-religious life also plays an important role towards the
survival of these landraces under the scenario of a disappearing indigenous rice
biodiversity in this region. Suitable market oriented cultivation in terms of organic
crop, promoting commercially as holistic food, processed product, aromatic quality
rice etc. can increase demand and market price of these cultivars. Side by side,
conservation and research work should be enhanced for these underutilized varieties.
With such strategies cultivars can find their way of survival.
