Next Generation of "Super Rice"

In a relatively recent article researchers from Michigan Technological University have identified genes which could possibly be the key to the development of the next generation of "super rice." Biologist Ramakrishna Wusirika and PhD student Rafi Shaik have uncovered more than 1,000 genes in rice which have key roles in responding to two different kinds of stress experienced by rice. These two different kinds of stresses are said to be biotic, which is caused by infectious organisms such as bacteria and abiotic, which is caused by nonliving factors such as nutrient deficiency and salinity. In total, 1,377 of the approximately 3,800 genes involved in stress responses of the rice, respond to both biotic and abiotic stresses. Further testing showed that a total of 196 genes showed response to picked biotic and abiotic stresses.The biotic stresses looked at by the scientists were bacteria, fungus, insect predation, weed competition, and nematodes while the abiotic stresses were drought, heavy metal contamination, salt, cold, and nutrient deprivation.

A further look into their research can be read in their published paper, "Machine Learning Approaches Distinguish Multiple Stress Conditions using Stress-Responsive Genes and Identify Candidate Genes for Broad Resistance in Rice,"