Drought Screening Facility for Transgenic Plants

A drought tolerant screening facility has been established at the International Rice Research Institute to cater to the needs of researchers who are developing lines for drought tolerance through conventional and transgenic means. Scientists have also developed a protocol that mimics drought conditions in lowland fields. "The facility allows us to assess a large population of plants to take into account possible variation in the effects of a transgene on plant growth and yield performance," explains crop physiologist Rachid Serraj.

Assessments on the impact of water deficit on plant growth and other non-destructive measurements are considered to analyze crop performance. Other traits measured are the flowering, tillering, grain formation, transpiration, canopy temperature, photosynthesis, leaf rolling, tillering ability, root biomass, and spikelet fertility. In addition, the facility offers a flooded control plot that will allow scientists to compare the performance of varieties under different conditions and to predict the yields of these lines as if they were in the field.

For details, read the article at http://www.cgiar.org/enews/september2009/story_08.html