The genetic information allows creating varieties more resistant to environmental challenges and having higher yields to fight global food challenge
The genome sequence of African rice has been decoded. This genetic information is important because it would allow scientists to cross African rice with Asian rice and create new varieties with the best qualities of both of the crops.
African rice(Oryza glaberrima) is cultivated only at a few locations in the world, but it is more resistant to environmental stress in West African environment than Asian varieties, said Rod A Wing, lead author of the paper, according to a report published in the website of the University of Arizona.
African rice is known to be resistance to drought, high salinity of soil and floods. On the other hand, its yield is not as high as that of Asian rice. The qualities of both these crops can now be combined into a single variety to help solve global food challenge, says the report, quoting Wing: “Rice feeds half the world, making it the most important food crop.”
The paper was published online in Nature Genetics on July 27.
In another news, the genome of Solanum pennellii, a wild tomato variety, has been sequenced. Wild tomato is not edible but can be crossed with domestic tomato to yield a variety which is drought resistant and is tastier.
The paper on the sequencing of wild tomato genome was also published in Nature Genetics on July 27.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.