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Ancient people relied on genetic variation already present in wild plants to domesticate crops like rice and corn

Written and edited by the WorldPing NewsdeskPublished Updated Original reporting: Phys.org
Ancient people relied on genetic variation already present in wild plants to domesticate crops like rice and cornWorldPing
Image via Phys.org.

What happened

Oryza rufipogon is an ordinary-looking wild grass found today in parts of China, India and Southeast Asia.

More than 8,000 years ago, people living in the Lower Yangtze Valley began cultivating it.

Key facts

  • More than 8,000 years ago, people living in the Lower Yangtze Valley began cultivating it.
  • Reported by Phys.org and published Mon, 12 Oct 2026 17:00:07 UTC.

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  4. Ancient people relied on genetic variation already present in wild plants to domesticate crops like rice and corn

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The original report was published by Phys.org. WorldPing does not claim that reporting — this page summarises and contextualises it.

Read the full report at Phys.org

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