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.
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DRR Rice 100 (Kamala) variety
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- 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.
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Pusa DST Rice 1
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- 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.
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- 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
