The conversation about Kasalath rice continues, with some actual information about the accession in question. The back story has kinda sorta made its way into the mainstream media too. Reuters published the picture below yesterday (30 August).
A scientist locates the rice variety kasalath inside the gene bank at the International Rice Research Institute in Los Banos, Laguna
“A scientist locates the rice variety kasalath inside the gene bank at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Banos, Laguna, south of Manila August 30, 2012. A team of scientists from the IRRI, led by Sigrid Heuer, say that they have discovered a gene called PSTOL1, or Phosphorous Starvation Tolerance, which increases grain production by 20 percent by enabling rice plants to grow stronger root systems for better intake of phosphorus, an important but limited plant nutrient. The discovery will help poor rice farmers grow more rice for sale, even while working on phosphorus-deficient land, according to Heuer.”
I guess we’ll just have to take Reuters’ word that the scientist is indeed locating Kasalath and not some other sample.
One Reply to “Where Kasalath rice landrace really comes from”
More landraec germplasms are to be included in research program
for finding out stress tolerant genes
Alamgir,ANM
More landraec germplasms are to be included in research program
for finding out stress tolerant genes
Alamgir,ANM