Published on Aug 23, 2012

Workers clean grass from a rice field at Ragas Masigit village in Serang, Indonesia's Banten province, Aug 14, 2012. Scientists on Wednesday said they had developed a strain of rice that grows well in soils lacking the nutrient phosphorus, a feat that could boost crop yields for some farmers by as much as a fifth. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

PARIS (AFP) - Scientists on Wednesday said they had developed a strain of rice that grows well in soils lacking the nutrient phosphorus, a feat that could boost crop yields for some farmers by as much as a fifth.

The announcement ends a quest to pinpoint a mystery gene that helps the roots of baby rice plants tease phosphorus from the soil, enabling them to notch up strong, early growth.

The gene has now been transferred to modern varieties of rice using classic methods of cross-breeding, not genetic engineering, said Dr Sigrid Heuer at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines.

Next week, national rice breeders from Bangladesh, India, Thailand and India will be briefed on the exciting find, which should benefit small farmers most of all, Dr Heuer said in a phone interview from Manila.

The rest is here:
Gene breakthrough could boost rice yields by 20%

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