Rice Genomics and Genetics 2024, Vol.15, No.4, 178-189 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/rgg 178 Systematic Review Open Access Geographical Migration and Domestication of OryzaSpecies: Tracing the Roots Yumin Huang School of Life Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, Fujian, China Corresponding email: hym@xmu.edu.cn Rice Genomics and Genetics, 2024, Vol.15, No.4 doi: 10.5376/rgg.2024.15.0018 Received: 9 Jul., 2024 Accepted: 10 Aug., 2024 Published: 22 Aug., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Huang, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Huang Y.M., 2024, Geographical migration and domestication of oryza species: tracing the roots, Rice Genomics and Genetics, 15(4): 178-189 (doi: 10.5376/rgg.2024.15.0018) Abstract This study examines the geographical migration and domestication of Oryza species, focusing on Oryza sativa (Asian rice) and Oryza glaberrima (African rice). By synthesizing genetic and archaeological evidence, it traces the evolutionary paths and dispersal of these crops from wild ancestors to cultivated forms. This study highlights the complex selection processes tailored to diverse environments, which have been crucial in the adaptation and spread of rice cultivation. Studying rice's migration and domestication is essential for understanding agricultural history and genetic diversity, aiding breeding programs aimed at enhancing yield, disease resistance, and adaptability. This study also discusses the impact of independent domestication events across various regions on the genetic diversity of modern rice varieties. This study provides insights into the domestication events that have shaped one of the world's staple crops, contributing to global food security initiatives amidst changing climatic conditions. Keywords Rice origins; Geographical migration; Domestication; Oryza sativa; Oryza glaberrima 1 Introduction The genus Oryza, which includes both wild and cultivated rice species, is of paramount importance to global agriculture. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a staple food for more than half of the world's population, making it a critical crop for food security (Londo et al., 2006). The genus comprises two primary cultivated species: Oryza sativa, commonly known as Asian rice, and Oryza glaberrima, known as African rice. While Oryza sativa has been extensively studied and is well understood, the origins and domestication processes of Oryza glaberrima remain subjects of ongoing research and debate (Wang et al., 2014; Veltman et al., 2019). The domestication of these species from their wild progenitors, such as Oryza rufipogon for Asian rice and Oryza barthii for African rice, involved complex processes of selection and adaptation to diverse environments (Nabholz et al., 2014; Chen et al., 2019; Zheng et al., 2021). Understanding the migration and domestication of Oryza species is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it provides insights into the evolutionary history and genetic diversity of these crops, which is essential for breeding programs aimed at improving yield, disease resistance, and environmental adaptability (Londo et al., 2006; Chen et al., 2019). Secondly, studying the geographical migration patterns helps in tracing the spread of rice cultivation and the cultural exchanges that accompanied it, thereby enriching our knowledge of human agricultural history (Civáň et al., 2015). Additionally, recognizing the independent domestication events and the genetic adaptations that occurred in different regions can inform strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on rice production (Wang et al., 2014; Zheng et al., 2021). For instance, the unique adaptations of African rice to harsh environments such as drought can be leveraged to develop more resilient rice varieties (Nabholz et al., 2014). This study aims to achieve the following objectives: to synthesize current knowledge on the origins and domestication processes of Oryza species, with a focus on both Asian and African rice; to examine the genetic and archaeological evidence supporting various hypotheses of rice domestication and migration, including centric, non-centric, and polycentric models; to explore the genetic adaptations that have enabled rice to thrive in diverse geographical regions and environmental conditions; to highlight the implications of these findings for rice breeding and agricultural sustainability in the face of global challenges such as climate change and food security By addressing these objectives, this study will provide a comprehensive understanding of the geographical
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