Spurious rice variety farmed in Alappuzha

The introduction of a "spurious rice variety" in Alappuzha overlooking the import guidelines and quarantine measures has come under the scanner.An unknown rice variety was illegally brought to the country from Vietnam and farmed at the Viyapuram Seed Production Centre, Alappuzha, recently. There were also reports that it was the Taiwan Golden Rice that was farmed there. It was revealed that the field trials of the variety were conducted at Viyapuram without obtaining the mandatory clearance, including that from the Kerala Agricultural University.Agricultural scientists have started an investigation into the incident and rice samples were collected for analysis from the seed centre on Tuesday.S. Leenakumari, Professor (Plant Breeding), Rice Research Station, Kerala Agricultural University, Mankombu, collected the seed samples following a direction from the Agriculture Ministry."The source of the rice is unknown. The rice grains were short and bold and the husk had golden colour. But the endosperm—the inner part of the grain—was white in colour. It was a spurious variety whose characters were unknown," she said. It looked like Japonica rice which was commonly farmed in temperate regions such as Japan, Taiwan and China. The variety seemed like the speciality rice that was used for the preparation of special dishes in these countries, she said.Prof. Leenakumari, who is also an expert in rice, said the rice was not released for farm trials through official sources.The unauthorised introduction and farming of seeds that are not quarantined may result in the release of pathogens that can cause diseases to epidemic levels, said Z. Abraham, principal scientist of the Thrissur Regional Station of the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR).It may also lead to the outbreak of diseases hitherto unknown in the region and result in biodiversity loss, he said.In case of Genetically Modified varieties, there are apprehensions that it may adversely affect the flora and fauna of a region once they establish themselves in the wild or farms. Any import of plant genetic resources should be sourced through the Bureau and subjected to the mandatory quarantine measures, Mr. Abraham said.The genetic resources should have a phyto-sanitary report from the country of origin. In case of import in bulk quantities, the quarantine measures should be conducted at the Plant Quarantine Department at Faridabad, he said.

The Hindu, 7th May 2009