In a recent development, scientists from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences have been able to boost grain yields and decrease the growth duration of rice through the use of a transcriptional regulator. This ‘supercharged biotech rice’ has shown an impressive 40% increase in grain yield.
Supercharged Rice: The Breakthrough Achievement
The study elaborated on how introducing a second copy of one of the rice’s own genes into a Chinese rice variety has led to an increase in its yield by up to 40%. This gene, known as OsDREB1C, enhances photosynthesis and nitrogen utilization, expedites flowering, and facilitates more efficient nitrogen absorption, resulting in larger and more plentiful grains.
In addition to boosting photosynthesis and accelerating flowering, the modification also allows the plant to absorb more fertilizer, all contributing to potentially larger harvests. The said gene is duplicated from the rice itself and does not involve any foreign genes, unlike BT cotton or BT soybean. This process is best termed as genetic modulation, which involves temporary alterations in gene expression levels without any heritable changes to the DNA.
Implications for India
The findings of this study are especially significant for India, a global leader in rice production and distribution. With rice exports totaling 18.75 million metric tons to over 150 countries during 2021-22, India earned a revenue of $6.11 billion, standing as the largest exporter of rice globally. Vietnam is the second largest rice producer.
Considering the increasing demand, India needs to explore strategies to boost rice production and exports beyond the current 18.75 million tons. There’s substantial potential in leveraging the expertise of rice researchers based across states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Punjab, and Haryana, along with genetic engineers in various laboratories across the country.
Rice Cultivation in India
Rice is a kharif crop that thrives in high-temperature, high-humidity environments, with annual rainfall exceeding 100 cm. The plains of north and northeastern India, coastal areas, and delta regions provide ideal conditions for rice cultivation. Deep clayey and loamy soil types are best suited for growing rice.
West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, West Bengal, and Kerala are leading states in terms of rice production. Depending on the prevailing climatic conditions, southern states and West Bengal cultivate two or three crops of rice a year. In Assam, West Bengal, and Odisha, three paddy crops— Aus, Aman, and Boro—are grown annually.
Rice is a staple food for a majority of Indians, with India being the second largest rice producer globally. It’s worth noting that about one-fourth of India’s total cropped area is dedicated to rice cultivation.
Government Initiatives in Rice Cultivation
The Indian government has rolled out various initiatives to support rice cultivation. These include the National Food Security Mission, Hybrid Rice Seed Production, and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana. These schemes aim at boosting the country’s rice production capacity and supporting farmers engaged in rice cultivation.
This revolutionary approach of genetic modulation could be the key to meet future global rice demand, aiding countries like India to maintain and even enhance their standing in the global rice market.