Rice Gene Identified to Enhance Quality, Productivity
Scientists at the Chinese Academy of Sciences led by Fun Xiangdong have identified a gene that influences the development and productivity of good quality rice. The gene called GW8 was isolated from the aromatic and good quality Basmati rice from Pakistan. The gene codes for the ability of the rice grain to arrange starch enhancing of its eating quality. It also governs the shape and color of the rice grain.
The study also shows that the gene exist in in various forms and a variant was identified that affects the grain weight, thus enhancing rice productivity. The third variant of GW8 was recently found that combine the traits of the two variants, thus, influencing both the quality and productivity at the same time.
The article said that once the third variant of the GW8 is introduced into high yielding rice, it could significantly enhance the quality of rice grains, while productivity remains the same.
Details of the news can be seen at http://english.cas.cn/Ne/CASE/201206/t20120625_87531.shtml.
This article is part of the Crop Biotech Update, a weekly summary of world developments in agri-biotech for developing countries, produced by the Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology, International Service for the Aquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications SEAsiaCenter (ISAAA)
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