GM Rice Shows Enhanced Resistance to Salinity Stress

A researcher from Allama Iqbal Open University in Pakistan developed a genetically modified (GM) rice with enhanced resistance to salinity stress. The study highlights the need for rice cultivars that can withstand high salinity levels to ensure sustainable food production.

Salinity stress significantly reduces water absorption, disrupts membrane stability, impairs photosynthesis, and ultimately leads to drastic yield losses. As a staple food for more than half the global population, rice is among the most vulnerable crops to salinity. Traditional breeding methods are inadequate to meet the urgent need for salt-tolerant rice varieties, especially in the face of worsening salinity caused by climate change.

The study incorporated the genes OsSOS1, OsHKT1, OsDREB1, and OsNAC6 to develop rice with enhanced salt tolerance. The results show higher germination rates, longer root growth, greater chlorophyll content, and elevated levels of osmoprotectants under various NaCl concentrations. The transgenic rice shows increased activity of antioxidant enzymes, which helps mitigate oxidative stress and maintain cellular integrity. The results of the study show great potential for improved crop resilience in saline environments.

For more information, read the study from the Indus Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences.