Ecological Survey and Conservation of Legume-Symbiotic Rhizobia Genetic Diversity in Southern China and Northern Laos, 2004

A field survey was conducted in southern China (Wenshan district of Yunnan province) from October 10 to 22, 2004 and in northern Laos (Udom Xai, Luang Nam Tha and Phongsali provinces) from November 6 to 22, 2004. In Yunnan, Vigna umbellata, V. angularis, V. unguiculata, V. hirtella, Lablab purpureus, Glycine max, and Phaseolus vulgaris were collected. In northern Laos, Vigna reflexo-pilosa, V. unguiculata, V. minima, V. umbellata, V. hirtella, V. tenuicaulis, Psophocarpus tetragonolobus, Lablab purpureus, and Glycine max were collected. In both areas, the most important traditional leguminous crop among minor ethnic groups was found to be the rice bean (V. umbellata). A high level of seed color variation in rice bean landraces was observed in northern Laos, while creamy tan seed color rice bean was predominant in Yunnan. Rice bean had already been harvested in mid-October in Yunnan, while most of the rice bean plants were still in the shifting cultivation fields when we visited (mid-November) in northern Laos. Seed samples as well as root nodules were collected when they are available and were deposited in each country of origin.中国雲南省から東南アジア大陸部北部山岳地帯は, 照葉樹林文化の中核に当たる地帯であり, 古くから焼畑農耕を生産基盤にした多様な民族が暮らしてきた場所である. 農耕の長い歴史のもとに, 多様な民族がそれぞれに独自の栽培品種を成立させてきたものと考えられるため, 在来作物の高い遺伝的多様性が期待できる. 本調査では, 中国雲南省文山壮族苗族自治州およびラオス北部の Luang Prabang 県, Udomxai 県, Luang Nam Tha 県, Phongsali 県を探索し, 伝統的マメ科作物, その近縁野生種および共生している根粒菌の収集保全を行った