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‘Waterproofing’ gene may also protect rice from droughts
Posted by SciDev.Net: Joel D. Adriano on March 10th, 2011
SciDev.Net: Lab tests show that the same gene might help rice survive flooding and droughts
Farmers facing extreme weather conditions associated with climate change could benefit from the finding that a gene that 'waterproofs' rice plants also appears to protect them from drought.
The Sub1a gene, which naturally occurs in some low-yielding varieties in India, was discovered in the 1990s at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), in the Philippines. Subsequent research showed that the gene bred...
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Plant bank to preserve biodiversity of Pacific crops
Posted by SciDev.Net: Joel D. Adriano on November 1st, 2010
SciDev.Net: The giant swamp taro, the orange-fleshed Fe'i banana and a coconut that grows to half a metre in length are among the native crop species to be saved in a major project that has begun across small islands in the Pacific.
The Centre for Pacific Crops and Trees (CePaCT) is coordinating the project in which 1,000 unique varieties of staple fruit and vegetables from 7,500 Pacific islands are being collected to be grown in research institutes, with duplicates held at CePaCT.
The project is a response...