AfricaRice | Genebanks | CGIAR Genebank Initiative

Publications

Rice Biodiversity Centre for Africa

Most of the world considers rice Asian in origin, but rice also has deep African roots. While Oryza sativa was domesticated in Asia, the only other domesticated species, O. glaberrima, is African rice.

A genebank worker takes seed packets to the shelves in the new AfricaRice genebank in Mbe. Photo: Neil Palmer/Crop Trust

AfricaRice’s genebank currently contains almost 22,000 accessions, 85% of which originated in Africa. In addition to the two cultivated rice species, these include the five African crop wild relatives. Long-term conservation is carried out at its new genebank at Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire.

Characterisation and evaluation of crop diversity are major activities at AfricaRice, with special attention being given to screening for resistance to major diseases and environmental stresses. As a result, genes for resistance to diseases and pests such as rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV), blast and African rice gall midge are now identified. The GRU is collaborating in studies to use high-throughput precision phenotyping to identify further useful traits. Early flowering and tolerance of stagnant flooding are traits that are also being explored in the collections.

Other important activities include the restoration of lost crop diversity to countries affected by war, provision of conservation services to NARS, and training and capacity building.

A formal germplasm health unit is in the process of being set up.

Key Staff

Genebank Manager: Marie-Noelle Ndjiondjop
Key staff: Genebank researchers: Fatima Bachabi, Dro Daniel Tia, Goungoulou Alphonse Junior, Kpeki Bienvenu.

Rice

Key performance indicators of CGIAR genebanks, 2012-2021

HINT: Use the search key to filter the data. For descriptions of performance indicators, click here.

Indicator	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
1. Total number of accessions	19,983	19,983	19,954	21,300	21,300	21,300	21,300	21,815	19,699
2. Total number of accessions that are currently available	14,000	15,596	16,371	17,969	18,889	19,421	14,009	15,452	16,807
3. Number of seed accessions	19,983	19,983	19,954	21,300	21,300	21,300	21,300	21,815	19,699
4. Number of vegetatively-propagated accessions	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
5. Number of live plant accessions	0	0	0	0	0	0
6. Number of seed accessions held in long-term storage and safety duplicated at two levels	5,382	5,536	8,046	10,453	13,144	13,144	13,748	15,830	17,933
7. Number of vegetatively-propagated accessions in cryopreservation or safety duplicated as in vitro	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
8. Number of wild species accessions					130	130	30	40	40

Genebank operations, 2012-2021

HINT: Use the search key to filter the data

Indicator	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
1. Number of accessions with passport & characterization data available	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	21,300	21,300	21,815
2. Number accessions received	451	244	871	127	171	0	24	733	23	492
3. Number accessions regenerated	237	1,818	1,597	712	164	920	532	0	2,936	2,039
4. Number accessions multiplied	1,800	735	1,412	2,086	4,136	718	3,700	4,629	8,726	3,287
5. Number accessions health tested	450	595	547	1,276	700	1,064	1,705	359	91	3,287
6. Number accessions cleaned	450	595	547	1,276	700	0	0	2,000	2,482	1,780
7. Number accessions viability tested	1,200	2,500	3,596	6,984	6,972	4,075	1,730	9,992	8,956	8,387

Number of samples distributed to users within and outside the CGIAR, 2012-2021