Shattering or not shattering: that is the question in domestication of rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> L.)

The loss of shattering of rice has long been acknowledged as a crucial step sweeping the path of domestication. Here, we collated evidence from genetics, and anthropology to challenge this long-held view. Our discussion dwelt on arguments that (1) undermined the effect of a mutation in the key locus (sh4) which does not always confer non-shattering, (2) identified the involvement of other loci, (3) uncovered natural variation in shatterability still existing in domesticated landraces, and (4) relatively recent fixation of the mutation. Similarly, cultural attributes asserted a long tradition of naturally shattering wild rice cultivation and adaptive strategies of gathering which is still widely exercised in many parts of South and South-East Asia, Africa, and Australia. Altogether, it strongly suggests that primitive agriculture thrived largely relying on wild rice or semi-domesticated shattering phenotype but non-shattering emerged into conspicuity much later in the history.