VATIS UPDATE Article

The National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), ­India, has developed new genetically modified (GM) rice that can improve uptake of natural Phosphorus from the soil, cutting down the use of artificial phosphorus fertilizers. This GM rice has been produced by introducing a gene called OsPAP21b taken out from a traditional rice genotype called Dular, found in states like West Bengal, Bihar and Assam.

Supported by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), the study showed that OsPAP21b plays important role in improving growth on organic phosphorus substrate through better phosphate uptake and utilization. Researchers found that introduction of the gene produces an enzyme, which when secreted into the soil through the roots of the rice plant helps in absorption of organic phosphorus available in the soil.

This enzyme increases organic phosphorus absorption by ∼50per cent under controlled experimental conditions and hence can help reduce the cost of fertilizer use for the farmer. The team led by Dr. ­Jitender Giri and consisting of Ph.D. students, Poonam Mehra and Bipin K. Pandey has proposed OsPAP21b as a useful candidate for improving phosphate acquisition and utilization in rice.