Genetic tweak might enhance yield, enhance drought tolerance in rice, potatoes: Study

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A genetic variation that targets ribonucleic acid (RNA) may considerably enhance the yield of rice and potato crops and improve drought tolerance, which, in line with a analysis, is a key consider meals safety in growing nations, together with India. might assist resolve the difficulty.

Scientists from the University of Chicago, Peking University and Guizhou University mentioned in a report that including a gene encoding for a protein referred to as FTO to each rice and potato crops elevated their yield by 50 p.c.

“The change is really dramatic. Plus, it worked with almost every type of plant we’ve tried so far, and it’s a very simple modification to make,” mentioned Professor Chuan He of the University of Chicago, who led the analysis along with Professor Guifeng Jia at Peking University. “This indeed offers the possibility of engineering plants to potentially improve ecosystems as global warming proceeds.”

“This is a completely new type of approach, which may be different from GMOs and CRISPR gene editing; this technique allows us to “flip a swap” in plants at an early point in development, even after the switch is removed. continues to affect the food production of the plant,” he said. “It appears to be like like crops have already got this layer of regulation, and all we have executed is have it. So the following step will likely be to determine the right way to do it utilizing the prevailing genetics of the plant.”

The researchers – together with different main consultants – are optimistic in regards to the prospect of this success, particularly given local weather change and different pressures on cropping methods all over the world, the report added.

“This is a very exciting technology and could potentially help address the problems of poverty and food insecurity on a global scale, and potentially even be useful in response to climate change,” mentioned Michael Kramer. , who was awarded the Nobel Prize for his work. decreasing world poverty. He is a professor on the University of Chicago.

“Beyond food, climate change has other consequences as well,” Professor Chuan He mentioned. “Maybe we can build grass in areas prone to drought. Maybe we can teach a tree in the Midwest to grow long roots so it’s less likely to fall during a strong storm. There are so many potential applications.” “

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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS

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