Rice Genomics Research Without the GM

A research project led by the University of Arkansas System's Division of Agriculture has a mission: to improve crop varieties through the study of genomics without creating genetically transformed varieties. RiceCAP, or Rice Coordinated Agricultural Project, is funded by a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

To speed up the process of plant breeding, scientists use genetic markers identified through genomic research. “Markers are genomic tools, but that doesn’t mean we are developing genetically engineered rice varieties,” said Jim Correll, a Division of Agriculture professor of plant pathology. Markers reveal the presence of genetic material linked to a particular genetic trait, which allows breeders to more efficiently screen plants for crossbreeding.

RiceCAP is focused on two genetic traits that have been difficult for breeders to improve — resistance of rice plants to the fungal disease sheath blight and milling yield, or the portion of rice kernels that remain whole after milling. Both are difficult problems because they are controlled by environmental factors as well as genetics, and because they involve multiple genes.

Readers can access the complete article at http://dailyheadlines.uark.edu/13139.htm.