Biotech Updates

Rice Scientists Give Update on C4 Rice Project

August 10, 2012

Rice scientists provided an update on C4 Rice Project, an ongoing research program being conducted by scientists from different research institutions around the world and led by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). Through a paper published in Science, the lead researchers discussed how C4 rice could break through rice's current photosynthetic limitations and yield ceilings and help deliver long term food security.

According to the paper, the identification and engineering of genes that the scientists perform to install C4 photosynthesis in rice will lead to a higher-capacity photosynthetic mechanism, or the C4 pathway, in rice. An improved photosynthetic capacity will result to increased potential yield and decrease in use of resources like water and nutrients.

The success of this research undertaking will be a potential solution to the global problem on food insecurity as these high-yielding rice varieties will be able to meet global food demand.

To access the full paper on C4 Rice Project, go to http://www.sciencemag.org/content/336/6089/1671.full.