Quantitative and molecular analyses reveal a deep genetic divergence between the ancient medicinal rice (Oryza sativa) Njavara and syntopic traditional cultivars

What is it about?

Treatises of Ayurveda, the holistic health care system in India, such as Charakasamhita and Susrutasamhita that are believed to be written in BC has described several rice cultivars that have medicinal properties. Of the many described in these ancient texts, none can be identified in the present day Indian rice gene pool, except Shashtika. Njavara rice that is cultivated in Kerala and used for Ayurveda since time immemorial is a Shashtika. In this study, using morphological and molecular markers we showed that Njavara is a distinct genetic entity as compared to other rice cultivars that are cultivated traditionally in the same locality. The data validate the uniqueness of Njavara and demand further research to place it in International rice gene pool. This uniqueness together with the traditional claim on the medicinal and nutritional attributes of Njavara render it an ideal candidate for prospecting for traits that are able to improve the nutritional quality of rice use for regular consumption.

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