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2 Genome-Edited Rice Varieties Developed in India

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May 06, 2025

Prelims - Current events of national and international importance.

Why in News?

Recently, Union Agriculture Minister released 2 genome-edited varieties of rice.

  • India Becomes the 1st Country in the World to develop genome-edited rice varieties.

The genome is the entire set of DNA instructions found in a cell. In humans, the genome consists of 23 pairs of chromosomes located in the cell's nucleus.

  • 2 genome edited rice verities
    • DRR Rice 100 (Kamla)
    • Pusa DST Rice
  • Developed by - Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

In 2018, ICAR initiated genome-editing research to improve two major rice varieties – Samba Mahsuri and MTU 1010, under the National Agricultural Science Fund.

  • Development technology – It is by using genome-editing technology based on CRISPR-Cas, which makes precise changes in the organism's genetic material without adding foreign DNA.
  • Genome editing of SDN 1 and SDN 2 types of genes has been approved under India's biosafety regulations for general crops.

DRR Rice 100 (Kamala) variety
  • Developed by - ICAR- IIRR (Indian Institute of Rice Research), Hyderabad.
  • Based on - Samba Mahsuri (BPT 5204).
  • Objective - To increase the number of grains per panicle and it matures 20 days earlier (~130 days).
  • Benefits – Due to its shorter duration, it helps save water and fertilizers and reduces methane gas emissions.
  • Its stalk is strong and does not fall.
  • The rice quality is similar to the original variety, Samba Mahsuri.

Pusa DST Rice 1
  • Developed by - ICAR-IARI (Indian Agricultural Research Institute), New Delhi
  • Based on - MTU 1010.
  • Benefits – It can increase yields by 9.66% to 30.4% in saline and alkaline soils, with the potential for up to 20% increase in production.
  • Significance – It hold the potential for revolutionary changes in higher production, climate adaptability, and water conservation.
    • A 19% increase in yield.
    • A 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
    • A saving of 7,500 million cubic meters of irrigation water.
    • Improved tolerance to drought, salinity, and climate stresses.

In the 2023-24 budget, the Government of India allocated ₹500 crores for genome editing in agricultural crops. ICAR has already initiated genome-editing research for several crops, including oilseeds and pulses.

Quick Facts

  • ICAR – It is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
  • It has its headquarters at New Delhi.
  • It is the apex body for co-ordinating, guiding and managing research and education in agriculture including horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences in the entire country.

Reference

PIB| Launch of 2 Genome Edited Rice Varieties in India

 

 

 
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