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Indian Express
06-05-2025
- Science
- Indian Express
Knowledge Nugget: What to know about gene editing for UPSC as world's first GE rice varieties make headlines
Take a look at the essential events, concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here's your knowledge nugget for today on world's first genome edited (GE) rice varieties. 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. Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan released the two rice varieties at the ICAR's NASC Complex on Sunday (May 4). Key Takeaways : 1. Two affiliate institutions of ICAR— 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. 2. These two new GE rice varieties, which are climate-resilient, conserve water, and boost yields, have been named 'Kamala' and 'Pusa DST Rice 1'. They have better stress tolerance and climate adaptability without any compromises with their existing strengths. 3. DRR DHAN 100 (KAMALA): Developed by the ICAR-IIRR, this variety promises significantly higher yields, improved drought tolerance, and early maturity compared to its parent variety, Samba Mahsuri (BPT 5204). According to the ICAR, DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala) has been developed using genome editing technology targeting the Cytokinin Oxidase 2 (CKX2) gene (also known as Gn1a), to increase grain numbers per panicle. • 'Using the Site Directed Nuclease 1 (SDN1) genome editing approach, ICAR-IIRR scientists introduced precise mutations without incorporating any foreign DNA.' the Council said in a statement. The ICAR release pointed out that DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala) retains the grain and cooking quality that makes Samba Mahsuri a consumer favourite. • The Kamala variety has been recommended for cultivation across major rice-growing states, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala (Zone VII), Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh (Zone V), Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal (Zone III). 4. PUSA DST RICE 1: This new GE variety has been developed over the widely cultivated fine-grain variety called MTU1010 by ICAR-IARI. It has been developed through SDN1 genome-editing, this new variety targets the Drought and Salt Tolerance (DST) gene to improve the plant's resilience to harsh soil and climate conditions. • The new variety is relevant for farmers of saline and alkaline soils, where traditional varieties underperform. This variety of rice has been recommended for cultivation across key rice-growing states, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala (Zone VII), Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh (Zone V), Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal (Zone III). Do you Know? 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. 5. In the case of 2 new genome edited (GE) rice varieties, 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. Why Rice? 1. Rice, like other crops, is exposed to various biotic and abiotic stresses during its life cycle. Several diseases such as bacterial leaf blight and blast, and insect pests like the brown plant hopper, cause significant damage that result in devastating yield reductions. The crop losses from some of these biotic stresses can be as high as 50% and even reach 90% in epidemic conditions. 2. In addition, rice accounts for more than half of the fresh water used in agriculture. Water availability for agriculture in general is becoming a significant constraint now, due to ever-increasing domestic, urban and industrial consumption requirements. The situation will become more complex with decreased arable land availability as well, not to speak of the impact of climate change on crop productivity. Do you know? Paddy is India's principal crop of the kharif season, and is grown on one-third of the entire area under all foodgrain crops. It contributes about 4 0% to the country's foodgrain basket, and is critical to the nation's food security. West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Assam are the main paddy growing states. 3. Successful development of rice lines, incorporating important biotic and abiotic stress resistant traits, can provide solutions for minimising yield losses that affect consumers (from reduced availability) and producers (from lower incomes) alike. What is Gene Editing Technology ? 1. Gene editing, also known as genome editing, is a technique that allows scientists to 'cut' DNA strands and edit genes. The technology enables a simple but remarkably efficient way to 'edit' the genetic codes of organisms, thus opening up the possibility of 'correcting' genetic information to cure diseases, prevent physical deformities, or even produce cosmetic enhancements. How the technique works 2. Advanced research has allowed scientists to develop highly effective clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeat (CRISPR) -associated proteins-based systems. This system allows for targeted intervention at the genome sequence. 3. Its mechanism is often compared to the 'cut-copy-paste', or 'find-replace' functionalities in common computer programmes. A bad stretch in the DNA sequence, which is the cause of disease or disorder, is located, cut, and removed — and then replaced with a 'correct' sequence. The tools used to achieve this are not mechanical, but biochemical — specific protein and RNA molecules. How is Gene Editing different from Gene Modification? 1. 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. 2. 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. 1. In the last decade, targeted genome editing using 'CRISPR/Cas9' has captivated the attention of the research community. The applications of this technology — an acronym for 'clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 ' — have gained significant traction in various fields of science, including agriculture. 2. 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. DON'T MISS | From largest economies to understanding GDP: 4 Key Questions You Must Know for Prelims and Mains 3. CRISPR/Cas9 was originally identified and adapted from a naturally-occurring immunity mechanism in bacteria, which is employed against invading viruses. The bacteria basically capture snippets of DNA from the viruses and use them to create CRISPR arrays. These DNA segments allow the bacteria to 'remember' the viruses. In the event of the viruses attacking, the bacteria produce RNA (messenger that carries genetic information from the DNA) from the CRISPR arrays. The bacteria then uses Cas9 enzyme, which acts as a pair of 'molecular scissors', to cut the DNA apart and disabling the virus. Do you Know? CRISPR-Cas9 technology won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020. This technology is patented by the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. Its use is licensed. 4. The same system has been engineered by researchers to produce RNA complementary to a specific target DNA sequence in the genome of an organism. This 'guide' RNA binds itself only to that target sequence and no other regions of the genome. The Cas9 enzyme will, in turn, follow the guide RNA and cut the two strands of DNA at the targeted location. At this stage, the cell knows that the DNA is damaged and tries to repair it. The researchers can now use the natural DNA repair machinery to introduce changes, including by adding or deleting genetic material. 5. Such genome editing using CRISPR/Cas9 is possible through three different approaches: Site-Directed Nuclease (SDN) 1, 2 and 3. 📍SDN1 produces a double-stranded break in the genome of a plant and modifies an existing trait without undertaking insertion of any foreign DNA or even editing at the site of interest. 📍SDN2 modifies the trait of interest by producing a double-stranded break and, while that is being repaired by the cell, editing a small sequence at the target site. 📍SDN3 uses site-specific insertion of a large, foreign DNA fragment to introduce a new trait of interest. (a) A molecular scissors used in targeted gene editing (b) A biosensor used in the accurate detection of pathogens in patients (c) A gene that makes plants pest-resistant Answer Key (a)
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.
Mint
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
In response to GM crop controversy, India develops climate-resilient genome-edited rice
Government scientists appear to have found an alternative to contentious genetically modified (GM) crops with the launch of two genome-edited varieties of rice—a key staple and export. The main difference between genome-edited and GM crops is that the former involves modifying the plant's own genes, while GM crops involve insertion of genes from external sources. The launch of these genome-edited rice varieties follows the Supreme Court directing the government to formulate a national policy on genetically modified crops—covering research, cultivation, trade, and commerce—through public consultation. This is currently underway and yet to be finalized. According to agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, these are the world's first-ever genome-edited rice varieties. Both are expected to yield 20–30% more than conventional rice seeds and mature 20 days earlier, leading to significant water-use savings. In addition to being climate-resilient, these varieties are also projected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (methane) by 20%, Chouhan said. The technology has the potential to be replicated in other crops too for higher yields, climate resilience and improved quality. 'This is just the beginning. The government is actively developing several more genome-edited seed varieties for other crops,' Chouhan added while announcing the two varieties at ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research)-IARI (Indian Agricultural Research Institute) in New Delhi. Under the budget announcement 2023-24, the government has allocated ₹ 500 crore for genome editing agricultural crops. Currently research programmes on genome editing have been initiated in over three dozens crops and including oilseeds, pulses, wheat, maize, tomato, mustard, banana, soybean, sunflower and sesamum. Work on mustard seeds is at an advanced stage. "Increasing food demand, global climate change and increasing biotic and abiotic stresses necessitate the development of high yielding, climate resilient and nutritionally rich crop varieties. Genome editing has emerged as a new breeding technology for precision mutagenesis to create improved varieties in a shorter period," said Dr. Mangi Lal Jat, Director General (DG) of ICAR. ICAR initiated genome editing research in rice in 2018. Two popular varieties, Samba Mahsuri (BPT5204) and MTU1010 (Cottondora Sannalu) grown across Indian states in more than nine million hectares, were selected for genome editing. The new variety DRR Dhan 100 (KAMALA), a high yielding variety of Samba Mahsuri, recorded an average yield of 5.37 tonnes per hectare as against 4.5 tons per hectare of its parent variety. It has a yield potential of around 9 tonnes per hectare and matures in 130 days (15-20 days earlier than Samba Mahsuri). Similarly, the other genome variety 'PUSA DST Rice 1' has an average yield of 3.5 tonnes per hectare more than the parent rice variety. This variety has been developed for Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. According to ICAR, cultivation of these varieties in about 5 million hectares of the recommended area will produce 4.5 million tonnes of additional paddy, cut greenhouse gas emissions by 32,000 and save 7,500 million cubic metres of irrigation water, which can be used for other crops. First Published: 4 May 2025, 09:57 PM IST
The Print
04-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Agri minister Chouhan unveils first genome-edited rice varieties, yield to rise up to 30 pc
These varieties are recommended for major rice-growing states, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, and West Bengal. 'It is an important day for us… Soon, these two new rice varieties will be made available to farmers,' Chouhan said, adding that the new varieties will enhance rice yields by 20-30 per cent, conserve water, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from rice cultivation. New Delhi, May 4 (PTI) Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday unveiled the first genome-edited rice varieties 'DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala) and Pusa DST Rice 1' developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to address challenges of climate change and boost rice yields by up to 30 per cent. Scientists developed these varieties by enhancing two widely grown rice types – Samba Mahsuri (BPT5204) and MTU1010 (Cottondora Sannalu) – with improved stress tolerance, yield, and climate adaptability, while retaining their original strengths. Both varieties exhibit superior drought tolerance and high nitrogen-use efficiency. The minister said DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala) matures about 20 days earlier (130 days) than its parent, enabling earlier harvests and potential for crop rotation or multiple cropping cycles. The shorter duration of DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala) allows farmers to save three irrigations. Cultivation of both varieties across 5 million hectares could produce an additional 4.5 million tonnes of paddy, he said. 'India cannot achieve the goal of a developed nation without developing the farm sector exploring advanced technologies,' the minister said, calling on ICAR scientists to develop better varieties in pulses and oilseeds to reduce the country's import dependence. These genome-edited rice varieties represent a major advancement in India's agricultural biotechnology, offering practical solutions to the dual challenges of climate change and food security. They also demonstrate the potential of genome editing for future crop improvement programs. The agriculture minister emphasised that research scientists are key to the country's food security and ensuring India becomes 'a food basket of the world'. 'Currently, India exports Rs 48,000 crore worth of basmati rice. However, we need to ensure nutrition-rich food for the future. This responsibility lies on the shoulders of our farm scientists,' he said. Chouhan suggested a new formula: 'Minus-five Plus Ten' – reducing rice acreage by 5 million hectares while enhancing yield by 10 million tonnes. 'The rice area should be shifted to pulses and oilseeds to increase production and reduce imports,' he said. Agriculture Secretary Devesh Choudhary explained that the new rice varieties were developed using advanced technologies, each offering distinct advantages for yield, resilience, and quality. 'The genome-edited rice varieties released today have 20 per cent higher yields. They will be made available to the farming community through both public and private institutions and brought under the seed chain very soon,' he said. ICAR Director General Mangi Lal Jat called it 'a historical day in India's agriculture' and emphasised developing better seed varieties to address climate change challenges. 'We need to adopt demand-driven research, not supply-driven. The research should be done taking farmers' feedback and needs,' he said, stressing the need to retain youth in farming under the motto of 'One nation, One national research system'. Genome-edited rice varieties have previously been developed in countries like China and Japan, but many have remained in research settings with only a few reaching formal release or commercialisation. PTI LUX TRB This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
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Business Standard
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Chouhan unveils first genome-edited rice varieties, yield to rise up to 30%
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday unveiled the first genome-edited rice varieties '?DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala) and Pusa DST Rice 1'? developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to address challenges of climate change and boost rice yields by up to 30 per cent. "It is an important day for us... Soon, these two new rice varieties will be made available to farmers," Chouhan said, adding that the new varieties will enhance rice yields by 20-30 per cent, conserve water, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from rice cultivation. These varieties are recommended for major rice-growing states, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, and West Bengal. Scientists developed these varieties by enhancing two widely grown rice types --? Samba Mahsuri (BPT5204) and MTU1010 (Cottondora Sannalu) --? with improved stress tolerance, yield, and climate adaptability, while retaining their original strengths. Both varieties exhibit superior drought tolerance and high nitrogen-use efficiency. The minister said DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala) matures about 20 days earlier (130 days) than its parent, enabling earlier harvests and potential for crop rotation or multiple cropping cycles. The shorter duration of DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala) allows farmers to save three irrigations. Cultivation of both varieties across 5 million hectares could produce an additional 4.5 million tonnes of paddy, he said. "India cannot achieve the goal of a developed nation without developing the farm sector exploring advanced technologies," the minister said, calling on ICAR scientists to develop better varieties in pulses and oilseeds to reduce the country's import dependence. These genome-edited rice varieties represent a major advancement in India's agricultural biotechnology, offering practical solutions to the dual challenges of climate change and food security. They also demonstrate the potential of genome editing for future crop improvement programs. The agriculture minister emphasised that research scientists are key to the country's food security and ensuring India becomes "a food basket of the world". "Currently, India exports Rs 48,000 crore worth of basmati rice. However, we need to ensure nutrition-rich food for the future. This responsibility lies on the shoulders of our farm scientists," he said. Chouhan suggested a new formula: "Minus-five Plus Ten" --? reducing rice acreage by 5 million hectares while enhancing yield by 10 million tonnes. "The rice area should be shifted to pulses and oilseeds to increase production and reduce imports," he said. Agriculture Secretary Devesh Choudhary explained that the new rice varieties were developed using advanced technologies, each offering distinct advantages for yield, resilience, and quality. "The genome-edited rice varieties released today have 20 per cent higher yields. They will be made available to the farming community through both public and private institutions and brought under the seed chain very soon," he said. ICAR Director General Mangi Lal Jat called it "a historical day in India's agriculture" and emphasised developing better seed varieties to address climate change challenges. "We need to adopt demand-driven research, not supply-driven. The research should be done taking farmers' feedback and needs," he said, stressing the need to retain youth in farming under the motto of "One nation, One national research system". Genome-edited rice varieties have previously been developed in countries like China and Japan, but many have remained in research settings with only a few reaching formal release or commercialisation.
