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- 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.
Indian Express
04-05-2025
- Science
- Indian Express
ICAR marks a first, develops two genome-edited varieties of rice
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) said it has developed the world's first genome edited (GE) rice varieties with superior yields, drought and salinity tolerance, and high nitrogen-use efficiency traits. Two of its affiliate institutions — the Hyderabad -based Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR) and the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) at New Delhi — have bred improved GE mutants of the popular Samba Mahsuri (BPT-5204) and Cottondora Sannalu (MTU-1010) varieties using CRISPR-Cas SDN-1 (Site-Directed Nucleases-1) technologies. Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan released the two rice varieties at the ICAR's NASC Complex on Sunday. GE is different from genetic modification or GM. The latter involves introduction of genes from unrelated species into host plants. These could, for example, be genes from Bacillus thuringiensis, a soil bacterium, that code for the production of proteins toxic to various insect pests in cotton. GE, on the other hand, entails mere 'editing' of genes naturally present in the host plant, leading to mutation or changes in their DNA sequence. No foreign genes or DNA are incorporated. CRISPR-Cas uses 'Cas' enzymes, or proteins that act like molecular 'scissors', to cut and modify the DNA sequence of a native gene at its targeted location. Such editing is intended to bring forth desirable alterations in that gene's expression and function. In this case, scientists at IIRR have used the CRISPR-Cas12 protein for editing the 'cytokinin oxidase 2' gene (also called Gn1a) in Samba Mahsuri rice, in order to the increase the number of grains produced from each panicle (plant earhead) of this variety. The Gn1a gene basically codes for an enzyme that regulates the number of grains per panicle, thereby indirectly influencing yields. Through 'editing', the scientists are able to reduce the expression of that gene, leading to an increase in the number of grains per plant. The Samba Mahsuri rice variety is extensively cultivated in about five million hectares (mh) across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh. The new GE line – called IET-32072 or 'Kamala' – is claimed to have recorded an average paddy (rice with husk) yield of 5.37 tonnes per hectare with a potential of 9 tonnes. This is higher than the corresponding average and potential yields of 4.5 tonnes and 6.5 tonnes/hectare from its parent Samba Mahsuri (BPT-5204) variety. Further, 'Kamala' matures in about 130 days (from seed to grain), 15-20 days earlier than Samba Mahsuri, but has the same grain attributes and cooking quality 'exactly like the original variety', according to an ICAR statement. The CRISPR-Cas9 protein has been used similarly to edit the 'DST (drought and salt tolerance)' gene in the MTU-1010 or Cottondora Sannalu rice variety, which is grown in 4 mh across southern, central and eastern India. The variety is popular for its high yields (potential of 7 tonnes/hectare), early duration (125-130 days), and producing long slender grains. The new GE mutant of MTU-1010 will enable this variety to also be cultivated in areas prone to drought and salinity stress. The GE SDN-1 mutant line – called IET-32043 or Pusa DST Rice 1 – is claimed to have recorded an average paddy yield of 3.508 tonnes/hectare under inland salinity stress conditions, compared to 3.199 tonnes of the parent (MTU-1010) variety). It has also given an average of 3.731 tonnes/hectare under alkaline and 2.493 tonnes/hectare under coastal stress conditions, as against the corresponding yields of 3.254 tonnes and 1.912 tonnes per hectare respectively. India has exempted GE crops from biosafety regulations under the Environment (Protection) Act of 1986. These regulations govern both field trials and release for commercial cultivation in the case of GM crops that are treated as 'hazardous substances' under the Act. The GE mutants created through SDN-1 and SDN-2 techniques are free of foreign genes or exogenous DNA. Their 'release' into the environment is, hence, seen to not pose risks and require multi-year trials and approvals, if at all, from the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Both the improved GE varieties were tested in multi-location field trials under the All India Coordinated Research Project on Rice during 2023 and 2024. This followed the approval from the Department of Biotechnology's Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation to consider these as 'free of exogenous introduced DNA' and 'equivalent to conventional mutant/breeding lines'. The ICAR statement said that the development of the two GE rice varieties has paved the way for using this technology for higher yields, climate resilience, and improved quality traits in oilseeds, pulses and other crops too. The 2023-24 Union Budget had allocated Rs 500 crore for GE breeding and research in agriculture. The statement conceded there are still issues over intellectual property rights on the CRISPR-Cas9 technology, which is patented by the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. Its use is licensed. The IPR concerns 'are being looked after and will be resolved in coming times,' ICAR said.
