We talked earlier about researchers finding a gene in Rice plants that allows for more nutritional uptake and create bigger, healthier rice grains. Considering the fact that rice does happen to be the most consumed grain on the planet it’s important to research every possible aspect that can aid in rice plant growth. There are many factors that prevent rice from maximum yield; soil types, pathogenic agents, drought, and even floods. Rice farms in Asian countries especially are found in coastal regions whereas wheat is grown in more inland, drier areas. Floods are persistent problems that destroy rice crops; in fact, in the areas right around the Bay of Bengal in the countries of Bangladesh and India, enough rice is lost due to flooding annually that could feed thirty million people!

For the past five years the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Growth has been funding a project in these areas to discover means that will retain yields despite flooding in rice farms. David Mackill, a senior rice breeder from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has assessed the success of this research project earlier this month. Dr. Mackill had earlier in his career discovered a gene called the Sub1A that provides tolerance to rice plants submerged in water (this was found in the only traditional Indian rice crop that had resistance to water, but wasn’t known for high yields). The extending the use of this gene in other types of rice plants has successfully provided a means to prevent the loss of 4 million tons of rice crops every year. This gene works by putting the plants in a dormant state while they are submerged in water; this prevents them from trying to grow unsuccessfully in water.

This research provides a great outlet for small farmers in Asian countries; it also shows the strength of international cooperation in science. With so many countries working together to find a solution to an agriculture problem I think it can be said this cooperation will also be seen when one country is affected by a severe drought, flood or another problem that leads to crop shortage.

News Story Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081121092458.htm
Press release: http://www.irri.org/media/press/press.asp?id=138

Discussion Question: Could there be any potential negative ramifications of such large scale international projects?