MESSAGE


Rice is the principal food of nearly half of mankind. Yet our knowledge of rice genetics lags behind that of other major food crops such as wheat, maize, barley and tomato. In the genetically well known species, newsletters are published annually for the informal exchange of preliminary information on findings of interest to geneticists. Availability of seed stocks of interest for genetic research is reported and such newsletters serve the useful purpose of regular communication between the research workers having a common interest in the genetics of the crop. I am very happy that rice geneticists have decided to publish an International Rice Genetics Newsletter (IRGN) annually. I hope that a formal organization for the publication of the IRGN will be estab lished during the International Rice Genetics Symposium to be held at IRRI in May 1985. Under standing of basic genetics of rice will be imperative for utilizing emerging techniques of genetic engineering for rice improvement.

April 30, 1984



M. S. Swaminathan

Director General, IRRI

Independent Chairman, FAO Council