Gene for yield, height in rice identified Scientists in China
have identified a single gene that appears to control rice
yield, as well as its height and flowering time, taking what may
be a crucial step in global efforts to increase crop
productivity. In an article published in Nature Genetics, the
researchers said they were able to pinpoint a single gene, Ghd7,
which appears to determine all three traits. Previous studies
identified a region on chromosome 7 which seemed to be
responsible, but they were not able to zero in on any specific
gene. "Our study shows that a single gene can control several
traits with major effects. It can double the yield, determine
flowering time and plant height," said Zhang Qifa of the
Huazhong Agricultural University in Wuhan province in China.
"Previously, we thought we needed to change many genes to change
rice yield, now we just need to manipulate a single gene to
increase productivity," he told Reuters by telephone. Zhang and
his colleagues studied 19 rice varieties in Asi