Abstract:
Wild rice species play a vital role in rice breeding programs as they harbour valuable
agronomic traits, such as resistance and tolerance to various biotic and abiotic stresses.
However, their populations are declining due to both natural and anthropogenic factors,
highlighting the urgent need for their conservation. This study aimed to gather experts and
stakeholder’s opinions in Sri Lanka and across the globe regarding taxonomic gaps and
conservation challenges in wild rice conservation in Sri Lanka. An online questionnaire was
prepared using “Google Forms” and distributed to university academics with expertise in
taxonomy, researchers working on Sri Lankan wild rice, staff of the Rice Research and
Development Institute (RRDI), Bathalagoda, the director and staff of the Plant Genetic
Resources Centre (PGRC) and the director and staff of the International Rice Research
Institute (IRRI). The survey was also shared with taxonomists, ecologists, and
conservationists from other Asian countries, Europe, Australia, Africa, and North and South
America, along with additional semi-structured interviews with relevant stakeholders. With
96% of respondents indicating wild rice species are very important, while only 3% believed
the public is adequately aware of its value. A large majority supported its integration into
national biodiversity conservation policies (82%, Q4) and recognized its potential for
commercial utilization (67%, Q5). Regarding taxonomy, most respondents believed that the
current system used for naming cultivars is inadequate and needs improvement (74%, Q11)
and emphasized the need for molecular approaches to identify desirable traits (85%, Q15)
and regular updates of international databases (87%, Q17). Conservation priorities were
strongly highlighted, with 82% supporting the establishment of new protected areas (Q24)
and 49% favouring expansion of existing ones (Q25). Overall, these findings underscore the
pressing need for strengthened taxonomic research, updated molecular classification,
enhanced conservation initiatives, and increased public awareness to safeguard the genetic
diversity of Sri Lanka’s wild Oryza species.
