Next Generation Healthy Rice

Summary

The proposed project aims to develop new human capacity within the rice quality discipline and facilitate new strategic alliances through the evaluation of new rice varieties with enhanced health benefits. A study to determine the potential value of rice varieties with enhanced health benefits will be undertaken. Australian researchers will collaborate with Chinese researchers to evaluate newly developed germplasm with novel aleurone colours, larger germ and thicker aleurone layers. Quality parameters and health benefits of potential breeding lines will be evaluated and the best performing varieties will be used in crosses to generate new high value rice varieties.

Program

Rice

Research organisation

Charles Sturt University

Objective summary

• Conduct market intelligence to develop an understanding of the current consumer perception and likely future trends relating to the health benefits of rice.
• Evaluate the likely agronomic performance of novel international germplasm likely to deliver improved health benefits.
• Benchmark potential health benefits of imported varieties against existing germplasm grown under Australian conditions
• Make strategic crosses between international lines identified as providing improved health benefits with adapted varieties and conduct preliminary quality assessments
• Build human capacity in the rice quality discipline
• Build strategic collaborative groups within the rice industry