PERSPECTIVES TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF RICE BREEDING AND CULTIVATION TECHNOLOGIES IN RUSSIA

The article represents the analysis of rice-growing branch in Russia during last seven years and determines the factors, which effect on its perspectives in the regions. The branch which produces more than 80% of domestic rice is being successfully developed in Krasnodarsky Krai. The region possesses the most favorable conditions for a further development of the branch. It has the areas of rice systems which are sufficient to extend the crop to 62,5% of a bulk of crop rotation. The region improves agriculture carrying out efficient variety changes. It developed the varieties with the productivity of 11-12 t/ha, with high technological, culinary and nutritional quality of grain and groats. The further improvement of mineral nutrition to increase productivity is restrained by an insufficient resistance to a blast disease (Pyricularia oryzae Br. & Cav). To eliminate this drawback we introduce tolerant to the disease genes into the most productive varieties. A change on new varieties ought to give a further productivity increase. The most significant factors which restrain the extension of sowing areas in the region are the deficit of irrigation and instability of a rice market. The problem of water supply of rice systems limits the extension of sowing areas in Rostov region. But the most catastrophic situation with rice irrigation is considered to be in Astrakhan region and Republic of Kalmykia.  A weak financial and machinery supply is characteristic for rice-growing in Astrakhan region, Republic of Kalmykia, Adygeya, Chechnya, Primorsky Krai and the Jewish Autonomous Region.  Taking into consideration the state of rice-growing in different regions of Russia, selection centers should develop the varieties adapted to cultivation technologies with various expenditures and technological intensification (from low-cost to  high precision ones), and also improve the professional skills of the staff in a rice-growing branch.