Germany Gives € 1.35 Million to Develop Nitrogen Efficient Rice

The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research has awarded Freie Universität Berlin and China Agricultural University a € 1.35 million (US$ 1.74 million) grant for a project that could speed up the development of nitrogen use efficient rice varieties. The scientists working on the project will focus on deciphering the molecular structures responsible for urea's absorption and metabolism in the crop.

Urea is the nitrogenous fertilizer most commonly used in agriculture around the world, particularly in Asia where it accounts for more than half of the fertilizers used. Availability of nitrogen use efficient rice varieties can significantly reduce the amount of fertilizers farmers apply to fields. This can increase farm productivity and reduce the ecological impacts associated with nitrogen fertilizers.

Read the press release at http://www.fu-berlin.de/presse/fup/2009/fup_09_043/index.html