Project 1: Enhancing Productivity and Stability of Upland Rice-based Systems

Resource-poor farmers dominate rice production in upland ecologies constrained by biotic and abiotic stresses,  declining soil fertility and water deficit. Conventional breeding and modern biotechnology will be used to exploit reservoirs of rich genetic resources present in neglected indigenous landraces, namely O. glaberrima, O. barthii, O. longistaminata and O. sativa to develop varieties of higher biotic resistance, increased protein content, stable yields and good performance in low input systems. The project focuses on: (i) upland rice varieties with higher yield, lower nutrient requirement and improved resistances to stress; (ii) integrated management packages for pests such as rice stem borers and termites, blast disease and the parasitic weed, Striga; (iii) assessing the impact of new varieties and technologies to allow better future targeting of related research. System priority areas 1, 2 and 4 – in particular sub-priorities 1a, 2a-2d and 4c – are strongly addressed, with medium relevance also demonstrable to 1b.

Outputs

1. Improved lines and varieties of good quality with higher and stable yield available to NARS

2. Integrated management options for pests and diseases available

3. Profitable integrated soil fertility and drought management options