Scientists at the National Institute of Plant Genome Research in New Delhi have identified a gene, known as OsMed15a, that has a role in regulating the size of rice grain. The gene also plays major role in regulating the expression of three other genes which determine grain size and weight.
The new gene discovery paves the way for developing rice varieties that produce bigger and heavier grains that not only increase yield but also the market value of rice.
Breeders aim to use the gene for developing rice varieties with long and slender grains preferred by consumers in India.
Read the full story at DownToEarth.
More on developing rice with high grain quality:
- New gene metrics eliminate hit-or-miss in emerging rice breeding technologies
- In search of the perfect grain
- Rice nutrition and quality: getting to the truth
