BRIC-NIPGR Develops Gene-Edited Rice with Improved Phosphate Uptake and Grain Yield

Scientists from the BRIC-National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR) in New Delhi developed rice lines with improved phosphate uptake and grain yield, even in low phosphate soil conditions, through gene editing. The gene-edited rice lines will decrease the need for phosphate fertilizers, lower cultivation input costs, and prevent fertilizer loss into water bodies.

India heavily relies on phosphate fertilizers to support crops like rice, which covers 36% of the country's cultivable land. However, with only 20% of the applied phosphate absorbed by rice plants, improving the crop's phosphorus use efficiency has become a key agricultural concern. The research team used CRISPR-Cas9 to enhance the phosphate uptake in rice.

In this study, the researchers eliminated the repressor binding site from the promoter of OsPHO1;2. The results demonstrated a significant increase in the expression of OsPHO1;2, resulting in higher phosphate uptake from the soil and a 26% increase in grain yield under low phosphate conditions. The findings of the study offer promising potential for better phosphorus use efficiency and more sustainable rice farming.

For more information, read the article or visit the BRIC website.