Genomics-based strategies for the development of 'green super rice'
2007
Zhang, Q.F.
Several challenges need to be met for sustainable rice production in China and to reduce the gap between potential yield and yield under large-scale production: (1) the increasingly severe occurrence of insects and diseases and the indiscriminate application of pesticides, (2) high pressure for a yield increase and overuse of fertilizers, and (3) the increasingly frequent occurrence of drought, resulting in water shortage. We have been using a combination of approaches based on recent advances in genomics research to address these challenges, with the long-term goal of developing rice cultivars referred to as 'green super rice'. To obtain a yield increase and improve quality, green super rice should possess resistance to multiple insects and diseases, high nutrient efficiency and drought tolerance, and potential to greatly reduce the use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and water. Most current efforts have focused on identifying germplasm and discovering genes for improving rice cultivars for the following traits: resistance to diseases and insects, N and P efficiency, and drought tolerance. Approaches adopted include (1) screening of germplasm collections, (2) mapping and identifying QTLs, (3) screening of mutant libraries, (4) microarray analysis of genes differentially regulated, and (5) functional tests of candidate genes by transgenic analysis. Progress toward the development of 'green super rice' currently made in our group is presented.
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