Super Rice from genetically engineered rice plant

Source: International Rice Research Institute
Straits Times 25 Dec 2009



Research has been done to transfer genes for C4 photosynthesis system from other plants into rice.
Rice has genes for C3 photosynthesis which is less efficient at capturing sunlight for photosynthesis. The yield is less than in C4 plants such as sugar cane, wheat or maize. Dr Robert Zeigler and his team of scientists have introduced C4 genes into rice and are expecting this GMO rice to have 50% increased yields.


"Snorkel rice" or rice that can tolerate flooding -important to have due to global warming and rising sea levels.



Dr Robert Zeigler speaks on the genetic nature of rice, its diseases, soil, water quality and other factors that affects yield. These have to be known to develop new rice strains to meet the growing demands and the constraints of climate changes.

Rice plant having some bits of genes from wheat or maize is small matter really.


Merry Christmas to all my Christian friends.