IRRI, Indian scientists advance rice research for climate and soil challenges

INDIA – Scientists at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and their partners in India have reported genetic discoveries that promise better harvests for rice farmers under drought and low-phosphate conditions.

Both findings come at a time when climate change and soil degradation threaten food security across Asia and Africa.

In research published in the Journal of Experimental Botany, IRRI scientists identified a variant of the gene OsIRO2 that helps rice plants withstand water scarcity during the reproductive stage, a critical period for grain development.

When this variant was introduced into DRR Dhan 44, one of India’s popular rice varieties, yields increased by up to 27 percent under drought stress without reducing performance in normal conditions.

“Through this finding, researchers can now develop better rice varieties more precisely that withstand water scarcity while maintaining high yields,” said Dr. Pallavi Sinha, scientist at IRRI.

“For farmers, this means better harvests and improved resilience, especially as climate change intensifies.”

The team tested 450 rice lines carrying unique gene variants in multiple field trials across different locations and growing seasons.

They identified 67 associations with drought-related traits and prioritized ten genes for breeding, with OsIRO2 standing out as the most effective.

“By using advanced genetic tools and working closely with our partners in India, we’ve been able to identify the exact parts of the genome that help rice survive drought,” explained Dr. Vikas Singh, IRRI Regional Breeding Lead for South Asia.

“This gives breeders a clear and practical target to develop improved varieties that protect farmers’ harvests.”

The next step for IRRI involves integrating these findings into breeding programs in Asia and Africa, with support from India’s Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

Gene editing for low-phosphate soils

Barely a month earlier, researchers from India’s Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) and the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR) announced a complementary development.

Using the CRISPR-Cas9 tool, they improved the activity of the OsPHO1;2 gene, enabling rice plants to absorb more phosphate from the soil.

“The gene-edited rice showed a 26% increase in grain yield under low-phosphate conditions,” the lead researcher said. “This means better returns for farmers and fewer nutrients lost to the environment.”

Rice covers more than a third of India’s farmland, yet only about 20 percent of applied phosphate is absorbed by the crop. The rest often washes into rivers and lakes, contributing to pollution.

By boosting uptake efficiency, the new lines promise to cut costs for farmers while reducing environmental losses.

Together, the two scientific breakthroughs point to a future where rice production can better withstand water stress and limited fertilizer use.

Beyond rice, similar gene-editing methods are being tested in maize, soybean, and wheat, with promising results for nutrient uptake and yields.

For regions like East Africa, where phosphate fertilizers remain expensive and soils often retain phosphorus, such advances may offer much-needed relief. As the BRIC-NIPGR team put it, “We’re giving plants the tools to do more with less.”

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