Latest news with #PusaDSTRice1
The Hindu
23-06-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Genome-edited rice seed Pusa DST Rice 1 expected to reach farmers within a year: IARI Joint Director Viswanathan Chinnusamy
The genome-edited rice seed Pusa DST Rice 1 is expected to reach farmers within a year, pending completion of intellectual property procedures, Viswanathan Chinnusamy, Joint Director (Research, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, has said. Dr. Chinnuswamy, who led the development of Pusa DST Rice 1, delivered the Sree Visakham Thirunal Endowment Lecture on 'Genome Editing: India's Trailblazing Path to the First Edited Rice Variety' here on Monday. The lecture was organised by the Indian Society for Root Crops (ISRC) and the ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (ICAR-CTCRI), Sreekariyam. Several crops Within the next five to six years, several genome-edited agricultural crops will be ready for large-scale cultivation, according to him. Genome editing, he said, helped overcome limitations in seeds and allowed for the addition of specific desirable traits. V. Arunachalam, Director, Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI), emphasised the potential of tuber crops in fighting malnutrition. He also stressed the use of genome editing to improve crop yield and quality. CTCRI director G. Byju, who presided, emphasised the role played by tuber crops in ensuring food and nutritional security, right from the Travancore era to the present day.
Scroll.in
09-06-2025
- Science
- Scroll.in
India has developed two genome-edited rice varieties – but some experts are concerned
In a significant stride towards bolstering food security amid escalating climate challenges, researchers at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute and the Indian Institute of Rice Research, both operating under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, have developed two innovative genome-edited rice varieties, named DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala) and Pusa DST Rice 1. These varieties aim to enhance yield and resilience against environmental stresses. Developed by Indian Institute of Rice Research in Hyderabad, DRR Dhan 100 or Kamala is based on the popular Samba Mahsuri (BPT-5204) and exhibits high yield potential along with improved drought and salinity resistance. Pusa DST Rice 1 is developed by Indian Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi from Cotton Dora Sannalu (MTU 1010) and is engineered for enhanced DST or drought and salt tolerance. Both varieties were developed using the CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technique, which allows for precise modifications in the plant's DNA without introducing foreign genes. This, according to the scientists, is a very different method from genetic modification of the plant. Genome editing accelerates the breeding process and enables the development of crops with desired traits more efficiently. Genome editing vs genetic modification While both genome editing and genetic modification involve altering an organism's genetic material, they differ fundamentally in approach and outcome. Genome editing uses specific tools to make targeted changes to the organism's own DNA without introducing genes from other species. In contrast, genetic modification typically involves inserting foreign genes into an organism's genome, often resulting in transgenic organisms. Viswanathan C, joint director (research) at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, explains, 'In genome editing, mutations are induced at specific sites where change is needed. These are internal and guided changes – a modern, targeted way to induce genetic mutations that also occur in nature, but with precision for specific outcomes.' Genetic modification, on the other hand, can result in unintended genetic changes and has been subject to stricter regulatory scrutiny. Scientists have used Site-Directed Nuclease 1 and Site-Directed Nuclease 2 (SDN-1 and SDN-2) genome editing techniques to develop the seeds. Vishwanathan highlights that genome editing in rice is being pursued to address agricultural challenges such as low yields, drought, and soil salinity, which are increasingly prevalent due to climate change. For instance, Pusa DST Rice 1 and DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala) were developed to tolerate harsh conditions such as drought and saline soils, which are common in many Indian farming regions. Kamala, derived from the popular Samba Mahsuri rice, also has improved grain numbers and reduced environmental impact, according to the scientists. Biosafety concerns The release of these genome-edited rice varieties has garnered attention from various stakeholders in the agricultural sector. While many experts view this development as a positive step towards sustainable agriculture, some have raised concerns about the long-term implications and regulatory oversight of genome editing technologies. The Coalition for GM-free India, in a press conference held in Bengaluru, put forward the concerns around the safety of genome editing of crops such as rice. They alleged that both SDN-1 and SDN-2 techniques used for the rice varieties are illegal and unsafe. Kavitha Kuruganti, a member of the coalition says, 'Published studies such as Sukumar Biswas et al. in their paper say that SDN-1 technology, using CRISPR/Cas9 system is not precise in rice. Early and accurate molecular characterisation and screening must be carried out for many generations before the edited rice varieties are handed over to the farmers.' In a rebuttal, Indian Council of Agricultural Research scientists responded to these allegations saying that genome editing techniques, (SDN-1/SDN-2) are comparable to natural or chemical-induced mutations used safely for more than 75 years. They explain that these techniques require specific tests to confirm absence of foreign DNA. 'More than 30 agriculture-based countries have exempted SDN1 and SDN2 genome editing from stringent biosafety regulations. India too joined the progressive nations and notified the exemption of SDN1 and SDN2 genome edited plants in 2022,' the rebuttal sourced by Mongabay India says. While Kurnganti questions the need for a better yielding paddy, considering India is one of the largest rice producers in the world, second only to China, and the country could do better with better distribution of paddy produced, Vishwanathan says that rice plays a central role in the country's food security and cannot be overlooked. He adds that similar research is ongoing in millets and other crops as well.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Less water, more rice: Why gene editing may be a game changer
Less water, more rice: Why gene editing may be a game changer TOI Explains Vishwa Mohan TNN May 20, 2025, 18:34 IST IST With drought-tolerant, climate-resilient rice just two years away from Indian farms, gene editing could change how the country grows its staple. But questions around safety, regulation, and adoption still remain Two varieties of rice — 'DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala)' and 'Pusa DST Rice 1', developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research ( ICAR ) and its institutes — are the world's first genome-edited varieties, and promise to be a gamechanger in sustainable agriculture .
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Less water, more rice: Why gene editing of rice may be a game changer
Two varieties of rice - 'DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala)' and 'Pusa DST Rice 1', developed by ICAR and its institutes - are the world's first genome-edited varieties, and promise to be a game-changer in sustainable agriculture . Scientists say these two varieties, when cultivated on 5 million hectares, can produce 4.5 million tonnes of additional paddy and save a total of 7,500 million cubic metres of irrigation water. And, apart from a yield advantage of 20%-30%, these climate-resilient varieties could reduce methane emissions by 20%, the scientists claim. This could go a long way towards solving one of the biggest problems in cultivating rice, a staple for about 800 million Indians: its resource-heaviness. Each kilo of traditional rice requires, on average, 2,500 litres of water, and its cultivation consumes more than 50% of the irrigation water available to the country's agriculture sector. Genome editing enables scientists to make targeted changes in the native genes of living organisms, creating new and desirable traits without introducing foreign DNA. It involves adding, removing or modifying DNA sequences at specific locations in the genome. This technology has applications in various fields, including medicine, agriculture and basic research. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 복부비만 원인 "오래되고 딱딱한 묵은 지방" 간단히 녹이는 방법 남재현 체지방 다이어트 더 알아보기 Undo Because rice is such a resource-guzzler, ICAR's National Rice Research Institute (NRRI), which scientifically calculated the amount of water needed to produce 1kg of rice, noted that a major impact of climate change would be visible in the form of water stress, and that rice cultivation was likely to be most affected. "In the next two decades, there's a need to produce around 25% more from 10%-15% reduced share of water," said ICAR-NRRI in a research paper on managing water for rice-production systems. Genome editing allows the development of drought-tolerant rice varieties that have a low water requirement. ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) had launched a genome-editing research project in rice in 2018 and selected two widely cultivated mega rice varieties - 'Samba Mahsuri (BPT5204)' and 'MTU1010 (Cottondora Sannalu)' - to enhance their qualities through tech interventions. Scientists enhanced these rice varieties with better stress tolerance, improved yield and climate adaptability without compromising on their existing strengths as they developed the two new genome-edited varieties. Genome-edited varieties are, however, suitable for only those states/UTs for which the parent varieties are recommended: Tamil Nadu, Karnaktaka, Puducherry, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Maharashtra, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and (eastern) UP. ICAR is now accessing intellectual property rights before the newly developed genome-edited varieties are made available to farmers. Seeds for commercial cultivation are expected to reach farmers within two years. The Coalition for a GM-Free India - a network of organisations and individuals advocating for a GM-free India - has demanded that govt immediately withdraw the two genome-edited rice varieties and bring them under the purview of rigorous regulation. They claim the two varieties have the potential to harm humans and cause irreversible damage to the environment, apart from threatening the country's seed sovereignty. Since the genome-edited line contains no foreign DNA, it makes it comparable to conventionally bred varieties. Two key approaches - Site Directed Nuclease 1 (SDN1) and Site Directed Nuclease 2 (SDN2) - produce genetically edited organisms that are considered "indistinguishable from naturally occurring or conventionally bred mutants". As such, they are exempt from stringent bio-safety regulations under Rules 7-11 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The Institutional Bio-safety Committee (IBC) of ICAR institutes approved the lines, and the Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM) granted clearance on May 31, 2023, for classification under India's relaxed regulatory framework for SDN1 and SDN2 genome edits. Viswanathan Chinnusamy, lead developer of the genome-edited rice and joint director (research), IARI, said plants with genome-edited seed varieties do not contain 'exogenous' (foreign) DNA, unlike genetically modified crops. He also dispelled health fears with gene-edited rice varieties, saying the genome-edited variety is equivalent to a mutant variety developed by a conventional approach. "Hence, it has no health or environmental concerns," he said.
The Hindu
15-05-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
How did India develop genome edited rice?
The story so far: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan recently announced that India has become the first country in the world to develop rice varieties using genome editing technology. The new seeds will be available for farmers after the required clearances within six months and large-scale seed production will probably take place during the next three crop seasons. What are the new varieties? A team of researchers from various institutions, guided by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), were behind the development of the two varieties — the DRR Dhan 100, also known as Kamala, which was developed from a popular high yielding green rice Samba Mahsuri, and Pusa DST Rice 1, which was developed from the Maruteru 1010 (MTU1010) variety. What are its peculiarities? According to the ICAR, the increase in food demand, challenges posed by climate change and increasing biotic and abiotic stresses such as pest attacks and scarcity of water, led to the development of high yielding, climate resilient and nutritionally rich crop varieties. Kamala has shown superior yield, drought tolerance, high nitrogen use efficiency and 20 days earliness over its parent variety. It has an average yield of 5.37 tonnes per hectare against the 4.5 tonnes per hectare of Samba Mahsuri across two years and 25 locations of testing in the country. 'The earliness trait will help in saving water, fertilizers, and reduced emission of methane,' the ICAR said. The second variety, Pusa DST Rice 1, has a yield of 3,508 kilograms per hectare (a capacity of 9.66% more) over the parent rice variety, MTU 1010, which has an average yield of 3,199 kg per hectare under 'inland salinity stress'. It also showed a superiority of 14.66% over the MTU 1010 under alkalinity conditions, and a 30.4% yield advantage under coastal salinity stress. What was the technology used? According to Joint Director (Research), Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Viswanathan. C, scientists have used Site-Directed Nuclease 1 and Site-Directed Nuclease 2 (SDN-1 and SDN-2) genome editing techniques to develop the seeds. Though this technique was used to develop different crops since 2001, such as tomatoes, a fish variety in Japan and a soybean variety in the U.S., making a rice variety has been done for the first time. In 2020, the first peer-reviewed research paper on Pusa DST Rice 1 was published, which got cited in more than 300 papers since then. The paper on Kamala is in the stage of publication. 'The international research community has approved both the varieties,' Dr. Viswanathan said. Are they GM crops? Dr. Viswanathan says that since the genome editing technology SDN-3 is not involved in this process, they are not genetically modified (GM) crops. In the SDN-1 approach, scientists make a cut and the repair is done automatically while in SDN-2, scientists give guidance to the cell to do the repair and the cell copies it. In SDN-3, however, scientists introduce a foreign gene from other varieties and integrate it into the improved varieties. This process is considered as genetic modification. In this case, the mutant was developed without any foreign gene and mutation occurred through natural process. This is a precision mutation technique and several countries have exempted this process from the regulations required for developing GM crops. 'No foreign gene is there in these crops, only the native gene is there in the final product,' Dr. Viswanathan said. A team of scientists from various governmental institutions were part of this research. It was tested in the fields under the All India Coordinated Research Project on Rice during 2023 and 2024. What are the objections? Venugopal Badaravada, who was a farmers' representative in the ICAR governing body said that the ICAR's genome-edited rice claims are premature and misleading. A day after the announcement he said in a statement that farmers demand accountability, transparent data, and technologies that are tested in our fields — not just polished press releases. He was expelled from the governing body soon after this and the ICAR accused Mr. Badaravada of spreading falsehoods about the institution. The Coalition for a Genetically Modified-Free India, a group of activists who are fighting a case against GM crops in the Supreme Court, said the biotech industry and lobbies have resorted to falsely portraying gene editing as a precise and safe technology, whereas published scientific papers show that this is untrue. 'India's de-regulation of two kinds of gene editing is outright illegal,' the organisation said. They claimed that gene editing tools are proprietary technologies under Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) ownership and have a direct bearing on the seed sovereignty of the country's farming community. 'The Government of India has to reveal the situation with regard to IPRs on the released varieties transparently, immediately. The Government of India is compromising on farmers' seed sovereignty and our food sovereignty by bringing in technologies entangled in IPR issues,' they said.
