Rapid Fire
Gene-Edited Japonica Rice
- 09 Jul 2025
- 2 min read
Indian scientists have successfully used CRISPR-Cas9 technology to increase phosphate uptake in japonica rice varieties, potentially revolutionizing yield and reducing fertilizer use.
- Phosphate Efficiency: CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing in japonica rice varieties boosted yield by 40% using only 10% of the recommended phosphate fertilizer dose.
- CRISPR-Cas9 is a revolutionary tool that enables scientists to precisely modify the genome by using the Cas9 enzyme as molecular scissors to accurately cut DNA and insert, delete, or repair genetic material.
- Mechanism: The key gene edited was OsPHO1;2, responsible for phosphate transfer from root to shoot, by removing the repressor’s binding site rather than the repressor itself.
- Significance: India imports over 4.5 million tonnes of phosphate fertilizers, making this gene-editing approach vital for agricultural sustainability and self-reliance.
Nutrient Deficiency in Indian Soils
- According to a 2022 study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), approximately 85% of soil samples are deficient in organic carbon.
- Indian soils are 97% deficient in nitrogen (crucial for crop growth), 83% in phosphorus (vital for root and seed development), and 71% in potassium (regulates water and nutrient flow in plants).
- Indian soils show deficiencies in Boron (47%), Zinc (39%), Iron (37%), and Sulphur (36%), impacting nutrition security, as zinc-deficient grains can worsen malnutrition.
| Read More: Genome Editing |
