GM rice plants perform as well as ordinary rice plants in optimal cultivation conditions Photo: Salina Christmas

A scientist at the Netherlands-based Wageningen University and Research Centre has discovered genes that radically enhance seed production in rice and Arabidopis spp in dry and saline conditions.  The university claims this as a major breakthrough as plants can be modified and developed to perform significantly better in dry and saline soils.

The scientist, Shital Dixit studied a “hardy” gene, found in a group of Arabidopis mutants, in which certain jumping genes amplified the activity of genes.  She modified Arabidopis plants to make the “hardy” gene more active.  The resulting ‘hardy’ plants grew better under drought stress (as they used water more efficiently) than their ordinary counterparts.  In arid soil conditions, the plants were found to vaporise considerably less water while maintaining their growth.  Furthermore, when water was omitted, they lived on and recovered on feeding, and have proved to be resistant against high saline soil conditions.

Yes, give me a free trial in print and online in PDF and online Name: Surname: Job Title: Company: Address: City: Country: Post/Zip Code: Tel: Email:   Privacy Policy

Using genetic modifications, the scientist was able to transfer the ‘hardy’ gene to rice as well.  The ‘hardy’ rice has also proven to be tolerant to drought and salt.  GM rice plants performed as well as ordinary rice plants in optimal cultivation conditions, claimed Ms Dixit.  This contradicts standard rules in plant biology where plants with increased stress tolerance perform worse in optimal conditions that their non-stress tolerant counterparts.

> Not a subscriber? Subscribe

RELATED NEWS

Research into high-nutrition rice at Purdue University
UK research grant to secure food in the developing world
Drought-resistant rice in prospect
More Biotech news