India gets two genome-edited rice varieties

In a step towards strengthening food security amid rising climate pressures, researchers at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) and the Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR), under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), have developed two genome-edited rice varieties: DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala) and Pusa DST Rice 1.

Developed using the CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technique, these rice varieties aim to boost yield and resilience to drought and salinity — critical concerns for Indian agriculture facing the impacts of climate change. Kamala, developed by ICAR-IIRR in Hyderabad, is derived from the popular Samba Mahsuri variety and offers high yield potential and improved stress tolerance. Pusa DST Rice 1, from ICAR-IARI in New Delhi, is based on Cotton Dora Sannalu and is designed for drought and salt tolerance.

Unlike genetic modification, which involves inserting foreign genes, genome editing makes precise changes within the plant’s own DNA. “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,” says Viswanathan C., Joint Director (Research) at IARI.

The varieties were developed using Site-Directed Nuclease techniques (SDN-1 and SDN-2), which ICAR scientists say are safe and comparable to natural mutations. These new rice lines are expected to help farmers cope with environmental stressors while contributing to sustainable agricultural practices.

Tags: food security, genome-edited rice varieties, DRR Dhan 100, Pusa DST Rice 1, resilience, India, yield