Genomics of Wild Crop Relatives for Rice Improvement

Wild crop relatives provide an important resource for crop genetic improvement. Genome analysis may support efforts to conserve wild populations. Analysis of genome sequences in wild relatives of rice may identify specific alleles of value in rice breeding. Variations in genome sequences in contrasting environments provides clues as to how crops could be improved to be more resilient to climate change.  Analysis of Australian wild relatives of rice is being used to support crop improvement and enhance food security. Domestication of new species that are distant from rice is another option that may be facilitated by genome analysis.