Genome-Edited Rice Varieties - DRR Dhan 100 Kamala and Pusa DST Rice 1 |ForumIAS

ForumIAS LATEST

1. 25 August | UPSC Mains Hindi Language Paper Resources Click Here to Read More →
2. 23 August | Your preparation may need an environment, not another course Click Here to Read More →
3. 17 August | Navigating the Crest & Trough of Rankforgers by Mr. Ayush Sinha Click Here to Watch →

News: The government is set to release Pusa Rice DST1 for commercial production in the upcoming rabi season, with transplanting around November.

About Genome-Edited Rice Varieties – DRR Dhan 100 Kamala and Pusa DST Rice 1

Developed by: ICAR – Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi and the Indian Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Hyderabad.
They are world’s first genome-edited rice varieties, named as – DRR Rice 100 (Kamla) and Pusa DST Rice 1.
Technology used: These new varieties were developed using genome-editing technology based on CRISPR-Cas, which makes precise changes in the organism’s genetic material without adding foreign DNA.Technique involved

It was developed by ICAR-IIRR, Hyderabad, based on Samba Mahsuri (BPT 5204).
Objective: Its objective is to increase the number of grains per panicle (450 to 500 more grains) and it matures 20 days earlier (~130 days).
- The yield is almost 25% more, which is about eight tonnes more per hectare.
Due to its shorter duration, it helps save water and fertilizers and reduces methane gas emissions.
Its stalk is strong and does not fall.
The rice quality is similar to the original variety, Samba Mahsuri.

It was developed from MTU1010 and is a ‘salinity tension tolerant’
When cultivated under areas that have national average of salinity, the new variety produced 66% additional yield than MTU1010.
Similarly, in alkaline conditions, the new variety gave 66% more yield than its original and under ‘salinity tension’ conditions; the yield of the new variety was 30.36%.

Current genome technology involves using living organisms from native crop species (known as SDN 1 and SDN2 types of genome editing) to enhance productivity and achieve desired results, rather than incorporating alien organisms or bacteria.
The two new varieties incorporate no foreign DNA, so they are not genetically modified (GM).
Hence, these varieties are exempt from the biosafety regulations outlined in Rules 7-11 of the 1989 Environment (Protection) Act.

National Agricultural Science Fund: In 2018, ICAR initiated genome-editing research to improve two major rice varieties – Samba Mahsuri and MTU 1010 – under the National Agricultural Science Fund.
In the 2023-24 budget, the Government of India allocated ₹500 crores for genome editing in agricultural crops.
ICAR has initiated mega genome editing projects for horticulture crops, animals, fish, and microbes.