Grain quality attributes of an on-farm Thailand's highland rice germplasm directly beneficial to the farming households

Rice (Oryza sativa) from the highlands of Northern Thailand where the crop is predominantly planted with local varieties was examined for grain quality features having direct benefits for the local population. Un-husked rice seed provided by farmers of 10 minority groups had large grains, in contrast to the slender grain type found in the lowlands. The highland-grown rice directly benefits the local population by providing a higher dietary intake of Fe but not of Zn. The highlands have been identified as a rich source of pigmented rice with a high anthocyanin content and an environment favouring the production of premium quality rice. On-farm experiments confirmed the effects of genotype (G) and environment (E) and the G × E interaction on grain quality. The local rice with high grain Zn exhibited higher concentrations under the upland conditions, while the high anthocyanin variety produced greater levels under wetland conditions. The pigmented rice had a higher anthocyanin content at high altitudes than at lower altitudes. The information concerning the value of local rice germplasm benefits the local population and should facilitate more sustainable on-farm conservation efforts than rewards offered to the farmers from external funding sources.