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The two rice plant rows on the left are bigger and growing much better they have the PSTOL1 gene, whereas the two rice plant rows on the right do not have the PSTOL1 gene and they look smaller. Part of the image collection of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

BARCELONA, Spain - A multinational team headed by Dr. Sigrid Heuer of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), has pinpointed a gene that can significantly increase rice harvest grown in phosphorus-deficient soil.

The team, writing in the journal Nature, said that the gene can enhance grain yield by as much as 60% compared to rice varieties which do not have it based on their controlled experiment.

This finding is significant in increasing rice yield for two reasons:

The gene is named PSTOL1 or Phosphorus-starvation tolerance 1.

Its main function, according to the authors, is to regulate the early crown root development and root growth in rice. Hence, rice with an over expression of this gene produces more roots that are also healthier.

This fact also helps rice plants to have higher uptake of other nutrients such as nitrogen and potassium. This may translate to lesser dependency on fertilizers without a reduction in yield.

Jackpot

PSTOL1, phosphorus uptake research team members from right to left are: Sigrid Heuer, Cheryl Dalid, Rico Gamuyao, Matthias Wissuwa and Joong Hyoun Chin. Part of the image collection of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

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Researchers find gene that can raise rice harvest

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