In a significant move to address the looming rice crisis intensified by climate change, Dr. Raju Bheemanahalli Rangappa, an agronomy researcher at Mississippi State University (MSU), has been awarded a $720,500 grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Dr. Rangappa, an assistant research professor in plant and soil sciences, will lead a team dedicated to developing climate-resilient rice varieties, crucial for maintaining the quality and nutritional value of the staple grain relied upon by 3.5 billion people worldwide.
The project, conducted in collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines and the USDA-ARS Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center in Arkansas, will utilize Heat MAGIC (multi-parent advanced generation inter-cross) populations of rice. This innovative approach allows the team to test the rice’s tolerance to various temperature combinations, potentially identifying genetic traits that enhance heat resistance.
“Our focus is on phenotyping and identifying rice varieties that can withstand temperature stress,” Dr. Rangappa explained. The MAGIC method, he added, involves crossing multiple rice parents over several generations, followed by self-pollination to analyze genetic traits contributing to heat tolerance.
The four-year project will start with heat stress tolerance testing in the Philippines, followed by field and controlled environment experiments in Arkansas and Mississippi.
Dr. Rangappa emphasized the importance of these collaborations, stating, “The IRRI in the Philippines provides extensive resources and expertise, while the USDA-ARS DBNRRC in Arkansas houses one of the largest rice collections in the U.S.”
Darrin Dodds, associate director of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES), highlighted the broader impact of the grant. “This funding will accelerate our efforts to develop climate-tolerant rice varieties. It also creates opportunities for student education and outreach, addressing critical questions about the current limitations in rice production.”
The research aims not only to develop heat-resistant rice but also to lay the groundwork for future trials across various locations, ensuring the sustainability of rice production in the face of climate change.
Source: New India Abroad