Latest news with #HuazhongAgriculturalUniversity
South China Morning Post
07-05-2025
- Science
- South China Morning Post
Science of food security: Chinese unlock gene secret at root of drought-tolerant rice
Chinese scientists say they have unearthed genetic secrets in the roots of upland rice linked to drought resistance, paving the way to transform widely cultivated irrigated rice into drought-tolerant varieties. Advertisement They say they have identified a gene that could obstruct the development of deeper, thicker roots in upland rice, characteristics that are crucial for drought resistance. By removing this gene, called HMGB1, irrigated rice developed longer roots and greater drought tolerance, traits similar to those of upland rice, enabling it to thrive in water-scarce environments, according to their paper. Researchers from BGI-Research, Huazhong Agricultural University in the central city of Wuhan and Yunnan University, in southwestern China, published their findings in the peer-reviewed journal Molecular Plant in April. 03:57 'We won't survive': Thai rice farmers brace for impact of US tariffs 'We won't survive': Thai rice farmers brace for impact of US tariffs 'Upland rice is a special rice ecotype that specifically adapts to dryland mainly due to its robust root system,' they wrote. 'Among the identified genes, HMGB1, a transcriptional regulator, functions as a key factor that facilitates root elongation and thickening in upland rice and thereby enhances drought resistance.
Express Tribune
02-05-2025
- Science
- Express Tribune
Chinese researchers discover world's first heat-resistant rice gene
Farmers pick ears of rice left over by a paddy harvester as the region experiences a drought outside Jiujiang city, Jiangxi province, China, August 27, 2022. PHOTO:REUTERS Listen to article Chinese scientists have discovered a key gene that significantly improves rice's tolerance to extreme heat while preserving grain quality and boosting yields — a breakthrough with major implications for food security amid climate change. The gene, named QT12, was identified by researchers from Huazhong Agricultural University in Wuhan, central China. Their findings were published Wednesday in the prestigious journal Cell. QT12 works by interacting with the NF-Y protein complex, forming a protective mechanism inside rice grains under high temperatures. This interaction shields the grains from heat stress while stabilizing starch and protein synthesis, according to Li Yibo, the study's corresponding author. The team conducted extensive field trials during last year's heatwave across key rice-producing cities — Wuhan, Hangzhou, and Changsha — all located within the Yangtze River basin, which accounts for roughly two-thirds of China's rice production. Incorporating QT12 into the hybrid rice variety 'Huazhan' resulted in yield increases of 49.1% in Wuhan, 77.9% in Hangzhou, and 31.2% in Changsha, while also enhancing grain quality. 'These results demonstrate QT12's potential as a powerful tool to combat yield loss caused by rising global temperatures,' Li said. 'This gene offers a novel molecular strategy to breed rice that performs well under heat stress without compromising quality.' To accelerate real-world application, the research team has begun collaborations with domestic agricultural companiesto integrate QT12 into commercial breeding programs. With global warming posing increasing risks to food crops, this discovery could play a vital role in safeguarding rice production in China and other heat-prone regions worldwide. Tags: heat-resistant rice gene, QT12, Huazhong Agricultural University, climate-resilient crops, rice yield under heat, NF-Y complex, hybrid rice Huazhan, Yangtze River basin, rice farming innovation, Cell journal rice study
South China Morning Post
12-03-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
China develops new high-protein corn to replace foreign soybeans
Chinese agricultural scientists are developing new strains of protein-rich corn that can serve as a substitute for soybeans in animal feed, a potential game-changer for China's drive to reduce its reliance on overseas grain. Advertisement China has been forced to import soybeans in huge quantities in recent years to fuel its expanding livestock industry, as Chinese consumers adopt an increasingly meat and dairy-heavy diet Beijing sees the growing dependence on foreign agricultural products as a threat to the nation's food security, as well as a potential issue of contention amid an intensifying trade war with the United States. Developing higher-protein corn to replace soybeans in animal feed is seen as a potential solution, and researchers at China's Huazhong Agricultural University have already developed several promising varieties, according to the university's president. Given China's vast corn production, an improvement of just one percentage point in the protein content of the grain could reduce China's demand for foreign soybeans by up to 8 million tonnes, Yan Jianbing, Huazhong's president, told reporters during last week's ' two sessions ' – the annual meeting of China's top legislative and consultative bodies. Advertisement China has been placing increasing emphasis on food security amid a rise in geopolitical tensions and uncertainties in the international market.
