Ecogeographic and genetic diversity based on morphological characters of indigenous rice (Oryza sativa L.) in Yunnan, China

Yunnan is one of the largest centres of genetic ecological diversity and the richest area for elite germplasm of rice (O. sativa L.) resources in the world. Its indigenous rice average diversity index of six ecological groups are, in turn, javanica (1.2319) > aman (1.1738) > communis (1.1726) > nuda (1.1618) > aus (1.1371) > boro (0.9889), and there are great differences between indica (1.1454) and japonica (1.2081). The indigenous rice in Yunnan can be divided into 58 varieties, almost the total number found in China, and the cultivars account for 8.6% of the total cultivars in China. A great difference in ecological diversity index of rice resources between prefectures or counties in Yunnan province also exists, with the southwest part (Lincang, Xishuangbanna, Dehong, Simao) and southeast part (Wenshan) having been found to be the largest centre of genetic diversity, as their average genetic diversity index ranges from 1.2735 to 1.2036, especially. The average diversity index of the Cangyuan, Gengma, Zhenkang, Yongde, Yingjiang, Jinghong, Menghai, Shuangjiang, Ruili, Longchuan, Mojiang, Wenshan and Guangnan counties, in particular, have an average diversity index ranging from 0.8 to1.0. On the contrary, in Diqing, Dongchuan, Kunming, Lijiang, Qujing, Chuxiong, it is comparatively low, i.e., 0.7843–1.1075. Differences in the ecological diversity index of rice resources between rice regions are small, only 1.1322 to 1.2849.