Traditional Rice Varieties Research Articles

Effect of plant growth regulators on micro-propagation of selected Sri Lankan traditional and improved rice cultivars (Oryza sativa L.)

In this study five selected Sri Lankan traditional rice varieties (Kaluheenati, Sulaai, Suwadhal, Dostara Heenati) (Oryza sativa L.) and five improved rice varieties (At362, Bg94/1, Bg358, Bg357, Bg379) were examined for callus induction, plant regeneration and rooting using in vitro techniques. Seeds were cultured in five different hormone concentrations; 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 mg/l 2, 4- Dichlorophenoxy acitic acid (2, 4-D) and 0.1 mg/l 6 – Benzyl adenine purine (BAP) on Murashige and Skoogs (MS) basal medium for callus induction. Proliferated calli were transferred to five different hormone concentrations; 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 mg/l BAP with 0.1 mg/l Indole acetic acid (IAA) to regenerate shoots. Regenerated shoots were transferred to three different hormone concentrations; 1.5, 2.0, 3.0 mg/l Indole butric acid (IBA) for rooting. Complete Randomized Design (CRD) was used with ten replicates and data was analyzed by SAS 9.1.3 version. The interaction between plant varieties and different hormone concentrations are highly significant for callus diameter, number of shoots per explants and root length. All tested rice cultivars (100%) were able to produce callus however only 40% of rice varieties were regenerate shoots. The regeneration ability of rice varieties varied from 0% to 100%. All shoots were able to produce 100% roots in tested IBA concentrations. Among all selected rice varieties 2.0 mg/l 2, 4-D+0.1 mg/l BAP is most successful for callus induction while 2.0 mg/l BAP+0.1 mg/l IAA and 2.0 mg/l IBA most effective for shoot regeneration and root induction respectively.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/suslj.v13i1.7671Sabaragamuwa University Journal 2014; V. 13 No. 1 pp 33-41

Kepelbagaian Artropod dalam Tanaman Padi Tradisional di Batang Lupar, Sarawak

The diversity of arthropod consists of pests and predators in rice fields were contribute to the biological control of crop pests at different stages of growth. The rice fields in Batang Lupar, Sarawak has diverse ecological conditions as well as presence of arthropod too. The study in MARDI research plot Batang Lupar in Sri Aman, Sarawak had been done on traditional rice varieties, Bubuk, Bali and Mamut by using sweeping net. The entire specimens were sorted out and classified into the smallest possible taxa. Statistical analysis were analysed by using Shanon-wiener Diversity Index, Evenness Shannon Index and Margalef Richness Index. A total of 272 individual arthropods had been collected and it consists of 7 order, 18 families and 23 species. Among of that 3 species are spiders, 9 species are insect pests and 11 species are insect predators. Analysis data for the diversity of arthropod has shown that there were no significantly different between three varieties, Bubuk, Bali and Mamut (P > 0.05). Besides that, diversity of the arthropod in Bali is higher than Bubuk and Mamut.

Kepelbagaian Sumber Genetik Padi di Bank Gen Padi MARDI Seberang Perai

Rice Genebank located in MARDI Seberang Perai was the first seeds bank in Malaysia which was established in year 1989 with the objective for conserving the diversity of Malaysian rice germplasms from extinction and for utilization in future research and breeding program. The germplasms were gathered through collection expeditions in entire Malaysia, while the foreign seed varieties were gathered through collaboration project involved seeds exchange. Until now, a total of 12,258 accessions of rice are conserved in this Genebank comprised of 32% of traditional rice varieties, 35.7% of released rice varieties and breeding lines developed by MARDI and the remaining are consisted of introduced rice varieties. This study observed the rice accessions conserved in the genebank are highly variability. Several morphological traits of rice also shown highly significant correlations between traits; thus this finding is important for research and variety development for produce new high-yielding rice variety for accommodate the national food supply.

Genotypic variations in agro-morphological and physico-chemical traits in ethnic aromatic rice (Oryza sativa) landraces of Odisha

Nineteen traditional aromatic rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties of Odisha, India were assessed for morphological, agronomical, biochemical and cooking characteristics to identify superior genotypes for breeding with regard to quality characters. Significant variability was observed in morphological, agronomical and cooking characteristics among the rice varieties. Kalajira (IC 355057) had maximum number of grains per panicle (204 numbers) with high fertility (89.12%). Hence, this could be used as donor for improvement of indigenous aromatic varieties for higher productivity. Badsahbhog and Basumati possessed the intermediate alkali value and amylose content. Chatianaki possessed long kernel length after cooking and high elongation ratio. Gyanbhog showed high hulling, milling and head rice recovery. Therefore, the head rice recovery of Gyanbhog and amylose content of Basumati (23.5%) could be used as donor plants in rice improvement programmes.

Unraveling the nutritional and therapeutic properties of ‘Kavuni’ a traditional rice variety of Tamil Nadu

‘Kavuni’ a traditional brownish black rice variety is known for its anti-diabetic properties and is grown under limited areas of Tamil Nadu, India. The present study was aimed at profiling the nutritional and therapeutic values of Kavuni grains in comparison with three other popularly eaten white rice varieties of Tamil Nadu viz., CO 50, IR64 and White Ponni. Biochemical analysis revealed the significant differences in the nutritional composition of Kavuni grains when compared to other three white rice genotypes viz., 29–35 % reduced level of total soluble sugars, low fat content (8–35 %), 21–52 % increased dietary fibre and 7–24 % increased total protein content. Kavuni grains had significantly higher amount of iron (20–30 %), calcium (33–45 %), copper (9.5–14.7 %), sodium (21–38 %), potassium (7–15 %) and magnesium (8.9–26 %). GC-MS analysis showed that phenolic acids and flavonoids were predominant in the Kavuni grains whereas sugars and fatty acids were predominant in the grains of a white rice variety CO 50. Further, Kavuni was found to possess significantly higher levels of different carotenoids (β-carotene—46.2 μg/100 g; lutein—221.6 μg/100 g), total phenolics (28.8 μg/100 g) and higher anti-oxidant activity. Methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of Kavuni grains were found to exhibit significantly higher level of inhibitory activity against α-amylase and α-glucosidase than the extracts of CO 50 (α-amylase IC50—0.1, 1.0 μg/ml and α-glucosidase IC50 0.04, 0.05 μg/ml).

AGROBIODIVERSIDADE NAS COMUNIDADES GUARANI-NHANDEWA NO NORTE DO PARANÁ: MEMÓRIA E RESGATE

O manejo das variedades tradicionais de sementes entre os povos indígenas tem recebido atenção crescente nos últimos anos. Esta pesquisa analisou a agrobiodiversidade na Terra Indígena Laranjinha, habitada por índios Guarani-Nhandewa, na região Norte do Paraná. O estudo analisou aspectos da memória local sobre as diversas sementes indígenas, suas características e usos, bem como as práticas agrícolas empregadas. Foram ainda registradas as intenções dos indígenas em resgatar esta agrobiodiversidade e as principais dificuldades encontradas. A pesquisa mostra que as Feiras de Trocas de Sementes Crioulas e Tradicionais Indígenas, realizadas anualmente desde 2011, na Terra Indígena Pinhalzinho, também no Norte do Paraná, representam uma nova estratégia coletiva para o resgate e revalorização da agrobiodiversidade, pois organizam esforços até então pontuais e difusos para a localização e produção de variedades de arroz, feijão, batata doce, mandioca, milho e outros alimentos. O resgate da agrobiodiversidade fortalece a identidade cultural e contribui para a reconstrução da organização comunitária .

Phenotypic Diversity of Farmers’ Traditional Rice Varieties in the Philippines

Traditional rice varieties maintained and cultivated by farmers are likely sources of germplasm for breeding new rice varieties. They possess traits potentially adaptable to a wide range of abiotic and biotic stresses. Characterization of these germplasms is essential in rice breeding and provides valued information on developing new rice cultivars. In this study, 307 traditional rice varieties newly conserved at the PhilRice genebank were characterized to assess their phenotypic diversity using 57 morphological traits. Using the standardized Shannon-Weaver diversity index, phenotypic diversity indices averaged at 0.73 and 0.45 for quantitative and qualitative traits, respectively. Correlation analyses among agro-morphological traits showed a high positive correlation in some traits such as culm number and panicle number, flag leaf width and leaf blade width, grain width and caryopsis width. Cluster analysis separated the different varieties into various groups. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that seven independent principal components accounted for 74.95% of the total variation. Component loadings for each principal component showed morphological characters, such as culm number, panicle number and caryopsis ratio that were among the phenotypic traits contributing positive projections in three principal components that explained 48% of variation. Analyses of results showed high diversity in major traits assessed in farmers’ rice varieties. Based on plant height and maturity, 11 accessions could be potential donor parents in a rice breeding program. Future collection trips and characterization studies would further enrich diversity, in particular traits low in diversity, such as anthocyanin coloration, awn presence, awn color, culm habit, panicle type and panicle branching.

Factors influencing hybrid rice adoption: a Bangladesh case

As rice constitutes the major share in cereal consumption in South and East Asian countries that ranges from as low as 40 per cent in India to 97 per cent in Myanmar, to ensure food security, governments in these countries are encouraging farmers to adopt hybrid rice. This is mainly because hybrid rice provides a yield gain of 15–20 per cent over conventionally bred varieties in general. Yet, despite strenuous government efforts, farmers’ adoption rates have remained low in India, Bangladesh and Vietnam compared with China. Although studies often claim that higher seed costs and inferior grain quality are the major factors limiting hybrid rice adoption, very few studies examine the importance of socio‐economic factors and infrastructure in the adoption of hybrid rice. Using Bangladesh as a case, a comparative analysis has been made on the adoption of hybrid and modern varieties relative to traditional rice varieties and land allocation to these varieties. Econometric results indicate that general land characteristics, loan facilities and general infrastructure, such as roads, irrigation facilities and the availability of government‐approved seed dealers, significantly influence the adoption of hybrid and modern rice varieties and land allocation to these varieties compared with traditional varieties.

On-farm status of rice (Oryza sativa L.) genetic resources in Garhwal Himalaya of Uttarakhand, India

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the three major food crops of the world and India is the largest rice growing country accounting for about one-third of the world average under the crop. Rice is being cultivated in Northern India since ca 2000 BC as evident from archaeological studies. A total of 103 traditional varieties of rice collected from interior parts, during the study period. The present study was designed with the aim to document the rice diversity and its socio-economic and cultural importance for local farming communities of Garhwal Himalaya in Central Himalayan Region. For collection of infor- mation 324 households from 116 villages in the study area were sampled. The study revealed different agro- eco-niches of the study area, traditional processing pathways, socio-economic and cultural development, diversity available, factors responsible for erosion/ replacement of diversity, aesthetic values and special- ized food quality of local rice varieties etc. The number of rice varieties grown and available for cultivation in ten valleys of Garhwal Himalaya were documented so as these can be utilized and conserved for research and development in the future.

Volatile profiles of traditional aromatic rice varieties in Sri Lanka

The Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka publishes the results of research in all aspects of Science and Technology. The journal also has a website at http://www.nsf.gov.lk/. 2021 Impact Factor: 0.682The JNSF provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.

Sequence analysis of the mutation in the 7th exon of badh2 gene in traditional aromatic rice varieties in Sri Lanka

It is revealed that the gene responsible for the fragrance in rice is Betaine aldehyde dehydrogenease ( badh2 ) gene. An 8-bp deletion and three single nucleotide polymorphisms in the exon 7 of badh2 gene, named as badh2.1 allele, was reported to result in accumulation of a major aromatic compound, 2-acetyl 1-pyrroline (2AP) in fragrant rice. Although badh2.1 is the predominant allele in virtually all fragrant varieties, exceptions such as involvement of another genetic loci or allele had been reported by several researchers. This study was conducted aiming at detecting presence or absence of badh2.1 allele in popular traditional Sri Lankan fragrant rice varieties. A 463-bp DNA fragment was amplified covering 7 th exon region and sequenced. The results showed that “Lanka Samurdi”, the fragrant high yielding variety, possesses the 8bp deletion while highly fragrant three traditional rice varieties did not show the particular mutation. Hence it confirms that the aroma in most of Sri Lankan traditional fragrant varieties is not resulted by the badh2.1 allele but by another genetic factor. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/jas.v9i1.6350 The Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2014, vol.9, no1 : 24-30

Modern Farming Technologies: Impact on Farm Productivity and Food Security in the Rice Terraces of the Cordillera Region, Northern Philippines

The study assessed the impact of modern farming technologies on the productivity and food security in the rice terraces. The study covered four rice terraces clusters located in four provinces in the Cordillera region in the northern central part of the Philippines. The sites covered were: Haliap, Asipulo, Ifugao, Bagumbayan, Tabuk City in the province of Kalinga,Tanglagan, Calanasan, Apayao and Natonin, Mt. Province. The study is a part of a bigger project conducted for 24 months from January 2011 to Decem ber 2013. The studyemployed the Case Study method using 10 key informants supported by interviews, workshops and Focus Group Discussion. The results showed that one of the study sites still adhered to the traditional system of farming while three had already shifted to modern farming technologies. The three modern farming technologies adopted by farmers are: use of modern rice varieties as a substitute to the traditional varieties, use of fertilizers and pesticides and the use of hand tractors. Modern rice varieties improved rice production by 70% from the current yield of traditional rice varieties. Increase in yield created a fit between cash and subsistence wherein added produce improved food security and the surplus is sold to the local market for cash. However, the contemporary increase in yield is still not enough to cater to income and food security. The inevita ble use of commercial inorganic fertilizers associated with modern rice varieties altered soil quality in the rice paddies. Soil is obviously sick with declining pH range. Although farmers have been using pesticides in the terraces, soil and water are stil

Collection, characterization, conservation and utilization of traditional rice varieties of Karnataka

Traditional rice varieties (TRVs) collected from different locations of Karnataka were evaluated for grain yield, its attributes, reaction to blast, grain quality and cooking parameters (protein, amylose, iron and zinc content using NIR) by adopting standard procedures. Analysis of grain nutrient contents such as protein, amylose, iron and zinc revealed wide variation for the grain protein content (5.5714.96%), amylose (17.25–44.42%), iron (9.17–15.72 mg/kg) and zinc (10.24–33.40 mg/kg). Physical, physico-chemical and cooking quality parameters estimated for the selected 49 TRVs also indicated significant difference for water uptake ratio suggesting variation for kernel texture, surface area and amylose content. Screening of the TRVs for field resistance against leaf blast disease revealed that 11 out of 324 TRVs were found resistant at both Mandya and Ponnampet. Molecular validation for leaf blast disease resistance for selected TRVs revealed that, Pi 9 resistance type allele present in 48 TRVs; Pish in 42; Pi38 in 46; Pib in 28; Pi 20(t) in 26 and PiK in 21 TRVs.

Antioxidant, anti-amylase and anti-glycation potential of brans of some Sri Lankan traditional and improved rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties

Brans of 23 traditional and 12 improved (both red and white) rice varieties in Sri Lanka were screened for anti-amylase and anti-glycation activities in vitro. Varieties which showed the highest inhibitory activities at screening were further investigated for anti-glucosidase and glycation reversing as anti-diabetic properties. The same varieties were studied for selected antioxidant properties. Significantly high anti-amylase and anti-glycation activities were observed for bran extracts of red varieties compared to white varieties at screening. Traditional red rice varieties, Masuran, Sudu Heeneti, Dik Wee and Goda Heeneti, exhibited significant and dose dependent anti-amylase, anti-glycation and glycation reversing activities. These varieties also showed marked antioxidant properties. It is concluded that brans of Sri Lankan traditional red rice varieties Masuran, Sudu Heeneti, Dik Wee and Goda Heeneti may be potential food supplements for diabetes.

Influence of Date of Planting on the Growth and Yield of Locally Popular Traditional Aromatic Rice Varieties in Boro Season

The experiment was conducted at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute Farm, Gazipur, in boro season to determine the optimum planting date and to select the varieties having high yield potential. Traditional aromatic photoperiod sensitive fine rice varieties; Kalijira, Kataribhog, Chinigura and Badshabhog were transplanted from 10 December and continued up to 25 January, both in 2000 and 2001 years, at an interval of 15 days. Forty-day old seedlings were transplanted spaced at 20 cm x 20 cm. Results exhibited that plant tallness, number of tillers and dry matter increased with the advancement of planting dates. On the contrary, the number of panicles, grains panicle-1, panicle length, grain yield, straw yield and growth duration decreased with delaying of planting dates. The intermediate short stature plant type of Chinigura exhibited higher number of panicles (300-331 m-2) and comparatively heavier individual grain (12.25-12.31 g), consequently gave higher grain yield (2.79-3.53 t ha-1 ) planted with in December. However, in late planted situation in 10 January Kalijira exhibited higher number of panicles, grains panicle-1, resulted higher grain yield than the rest of the varieties. Thus, cultivation of traditional aromatic fine rice Chinigura and Kalijira have the potentiality to produced higher grain yield when planted in early December in Boro season. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsf.v10i1.16275 J Sci Foundation, January-June 2012;10(1):20-28

English

  Traditional basmati rice varieties are very low yielding due to their tendency to lodging and increasing susceptibility to diseases. To improve the characters of basmati rice variety and study the inheritance of various physio-morphological and quality characters, F5 population comprising of 204 lines from the cross between NPT II (non-aromatic, japonica) and Taraori Basmati or HBC19 (aromatic, indica), were evaluated. Ample amount of genetic variability was observed for the characters plant height, tillers per plant, kernel length, kernel breath and L/B ratio. The grain yield/plant showed positive correlation with productive tiller/plant and test weight. Path coefficient analysis showed that the productive tiller/plant and test weight contribute to grain yield/ plant through direct effect. The parent off-spring regression was high for all the characters under study suggesting improvement of these characters by mere selection. Based on divergence study, 204 lines were categorized in seven clusters whereas parents were grouped in different clusters. Molecular restricted selection using specific SSR markers with depicting high correlation with aroma could offer great promise to select high yielding rice among high aroma lines. A total of 54 randomly selected F5 plants were subjected to SSR marker analysis using SSR markers. The F5 plants had an allele from either of the two parental lines (homozygous condition) or alleles from both the parental rice varieties (heterozygous condition). At some SSR loci, new/recombinant alleles were observed, which indicate the active recombination between genomes of two rice varieties and can be used for linkage mapping once complete homozygosity is achieved. SSR allelic profile based on two dimensional principal component analysis demonstrated high level of diversity among parents and F5 plants spread between them.   Key words: Oryza sativa L., basmati, microsatellite, phenotyping, rice, recombinant inbred lines (RILs).

Natural Herbicide Resistance (HR) to Broad-spectrum Herbicide, Glyphosate among Traditional and Inbred-cultivated Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Varieties in Sri Lanka

Weeds along with insect pests and plant diseases are sources of biotic stress in crop systems. Weeds are responsible for serious problems in rice worldwide affecting growth and causing a considerable reduction in quality and quantity in yield. High concentrations of pre-emergent-broad-spectrum systemic herbicide, Glyphosate is prevalently applied to control rice weeds which intern causes severe damages to cultivated rice varieties, susceptible to Glyphosate. However, there may be rice varieties with natural Herbicide Resistance (HR) which are so far, has not been evaluated. In this study Six traditional and eighteen developed-cultivated rice varieties (Bg, Bw, At and Ld series developed by Rice Research Development Institute, Sri Lanka) were used to screen their natural HR. RCBD with five replicates and three blocks in each treatment-combination was used as the experimental design. As observations, time taken-to seed germination, time taken to flowering; plant height and number of leaves at 12-weeks after sawing, leaf-length, breadth, panicle-length, number of seeds/panicle of resistant plants and controls were recorded. Plants with > or = 40% resistance were considered as resistant to Glyphosate. Ten inbred-cultivated rice varieties (Bg250, Bg94-1, Bg304, Bg359, Bg406, Bg379-2, Bg366, Bg300, Bw364, At362) and three traditional rice varieties ("Kalu Heenati", "Sudu Heenati", "Pachchaperumal") were naturally resistant to 0.25 g L(-1) Glyphosate concentration and when increased the concentration (0.5 g L(-1)) resistance was reduced. This study showed the usefulness of modern statistical method, classification and regression tree analysis (CART) in exploring and visualizing the patterns reflected by a large number of rice varieties (larger experimental database) on herbicide resistance in future.

Making an Indian traditional rice variety Mahsuri, bacterial blight resistant using marker-assisted selection

Mahsuri a popular traditional variety and the first rain-fed mega variety of the Indian sub- continent. It is highly susceptible to bacterial leaf blight caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv.oryzae. Nine best performing families of Mahsuri pyramid containing four bacterial blight resistance genes (Xa4, xa5, xa13 and Xa21) were evaluated for agronomic, yield and its related characters viz. days to 50% flowering, plant height, number of tillers, panicle length, filled grains per panicle, grain weight, and yield under natural and disease pressure conditions for three consecutive wet seasons. In addition these pyramids were also evaluated for three different spacings to find out the optimum spacing under disease free and disease pressure conditions.

Callus Induction and Plantlet Regeneration Ability of Selected Sri Lankan Traditional Rice Cultivars (Oryza Sativa L.) in Caryopses Culture

A total of forty Sri Lankan traditional rice varieties ( Oryza sativa L) were examined for their callus induction, growth and regeneration ability at Laboratory of Agricultural Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna. Surface sterilized rice seeds (caryopses) were cultured on four different callus induction media supplemented with 1.5, 2.5, 3mg/l 2,4 – dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) and 0.1 mg/l 6 – benzyladenine (BA) on Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) basal medium. Proliferated calli were regenerated on 4 different regeneration media supplemented with 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3mg/l BA with 0.1 mg/l naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Eighty seven point five % of rice cultivars were able to produce callus on callus induction medium and among them 12.5 % of rice cultivars regenerated shoots. 100% callus induction was recorded by 75% of tested rice cultivars on 2.5mg/l 2,4-D supplemented to MS basal medium while the callus induction percentages were 30% and 32.5% in 1.5mg/l 2,4-D and 3mg/l 2,4-D supple-mented media respectively. Callus growth of rice cultivars showed significant difference with the cultivar and medium. By the 4th week of callus induction maximum diameter (> 2cm) of callus recorded by rice cultivar Herath on 2.5 mg/l 2,4-D + 0.1mg/l BA + MS basal medium. The regeneration ability of rice cultivars varied from 0 % to 100% while the highest regeneration was recorded in rice cultivar Herath on regeneration medium supplemented with 2.5mg/l BA and 0.1mg/l NAA. Callus induction varied from 0% - 100% and signifi-cantly high callus formation was offered in Dik wee, Herath, Pachchai Perumal and Rathu wee . Sudu bala wee, Kahata wee (long grain), Sudu heenati, Kahata samba and Muthumala failed to initiate callus on any of the medium. Significantly highest shoot regeneration percentage was found in Herath (100%) while Mas samba, Seedevi, Dostara heenati and Rathel were also categorized in to the same DMRT (Duncan's Multiple Range Test) group with Herath . The highest number of shoots (8 shoots/callus) was recorded in Herath compared to other varieties (0.1- 8 per explant). There was a significant interaction between callus induction medium and rice cultivar as well as regeneration medium and rice cultivar. Tropical Agricultural Research and Extension 15(1): 2012: page 15-18 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/tare.v15i2.5244

Response of traditional upland rice varieties to inoculation with selected diazotrophic bacteria isolated from rice cropped at the Northeast region of Brazil

The largest numbers of the Brazilian traditional upland rice varieties are found in the Maranhão state, Northeast region of Brazil. However, no information is available on the diazotrophic bacterial population associated as well as the plant growth promoting potential when these traditional genotypes are inoculated with native strains. Here, we evaluated the response of ten traditional rice varieties to inoculation with ten diazotrophic strains, previously isolated from rice soil of this region and screened for their ability to produce indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in vitro. The procedure for selection of the best diazotrophic strain/rice variety interaction involved three steps: gnotobiotic conditions, soil pot and field experiments. The gnotobiotic experiment showed that the Azospirillum amazonense strain AR3122 increased the biomass of the traditional varieties Cana Roxa and Cana Forte (28 and 48%, respectively) while this effect was less evident for the other combination of strains/rice varieties. The soil pot experiment showed that the combination of Burkholderia vietnamiensis strain AR 1122 and traditional variety Arroz 70 was superior to the other strains/varieties and the treatment fertilized with 100kgNha−1. The best performance of the Burkholderia vietnamiensis strain AR1122/variety Arroz 70 was confirmed in the field experiment. There was an increase of up 10 and 29% in the grain yield in comparison to both the N fertilization and Herbaspirillum seropedicae ZAE 94 strain treatments, respectively. In contrast, the response of the commercial variety Bonança to inoculation with strain AR1122 was much lower, suggesting that a biofertilizer inoculation program for traditional rice varieties should consider the genetic interaction between strain and rice variety. The diazotrophic B. vietmaniensis strain AR1122 was a good biofertilizer candidate for inoculation of traditional rice varieties and therefore should be used for further studies to confirm the strain-genotype effect envisaging a sustainable rice crop system mainly in the Northeast region of Brazil.