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Gene-Edited Japonica Rice

  • 09 Jul 2025
  • 2 min read

Source: TH 

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 
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