Participatory Evaluation of Rice Varieties for Specific Adaptation to Organic Conditions in Italy

Rice is the fourth most important crop in Italy with a growing area under organic management. We conducted participatory evaluation of 21 rice cultivars (10 old, 10 modern and mixture) four organic/biodynamic farms, for two cropping seasons, to assess extent varieties × farms years within farm interactions farmers’ preferences. There were significant differences between varieties, as well large particularly case plant height reactions Fusarium fujikuroi Nirenberg (bakanae) Magnaporthe oryzae B Cooke (leaf neck blast), but also grain yield. years, which resulted considerable stability among one mixture combining high yield stability. Farmers, regardless gender, able visually identify highest yielding consistent way across although accustomed seeing uniform they scored higher than mean. The results are discussed context decentralized-participatory breeding program, serve target population heterogenous environments represented by biodynamic farms.