Chinese scientists have discovered a crucial gene that boosts rice’s ability to withstand heat without compromising its yield or grain quality, offering a solution to climate-induced threats to rice production.
The breakthrough was made by researchers at Huazhong Agricultural University in Wuhan, Hubei Province, and was recently published on the Cell journal’s website.
According to lead researcher Li Yibo, the gene, named QT12, works with the protein complex NF-Y to act like a firewall within rice grains under high temperatures, protecting them while ensuring stable starch and protein formation.
Li explained that during last year’s intense heat, field tests were carried out across the Yangtze River basin. Inserting QT12 into the hybrid rice variety “Huazhan” led to yield increases of 49.1% in Wuhan, 77.9% in Hangzhou, and 31.2% in Changsha, alongside improvements in grain quality.
He highlighted that the Yangtze River basin produces about two-thirds of China’s rice, and recent heatwaves have posed a serious threat to its cultivation.
This discovery offers a new genetic approach to breeding rice varieties that can endure high temperatures while maintaining high yield and quality. The research team is also collaborating with domestic firms to speed up the gene’s application in agriculture.
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