Scientists created the first rice 'pangenome' by combining genetic data from 144 wild and cultivated rice varieties across Asia.
This pangenome provides a complete picture of rice genetic diversity, helping in developing new, improved rice types.
It includes both shared (core) and unique genes, offering insights into traits like disease resistance and climate resilience.
Asian cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.) was domesticated from the wild species O. rufipogon, especially the Or-IIIa group, the ancestor of japonica rice.
The study confirms that indica rice likely originated from ancient japonica crossing with wild rice as it spread through Asia.
Researchers used ‘PacBio high-fidelity’ (HiFi) sequencing technology to uncover 3.87 billion base pairs of previously unknown genetic sequences.
They identified 69,531 genes, including 28,907 core genes and 13,728 genes specific to wild rice, showing the vast genetic variety.
About 20% of the genes were found only in wild rice, which could help improve future rice varieties' ability to handle environmental stress.
India has developed two genome-edited rice varieties, Samba Mahsuri and MTU 1010, that promise better yields and drought tolerance, but they are not yet released to farmers.
These findings could help create rice that is more productive and resilient to climate change, benefiting millions who rely on it as a staple food.
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