Genetius

The study demonstrates that short‑term low phosphate treatment delays leaf senescence in rice by increasing photosynthetic pigments, enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities, and reducing oxidative damage, whereas high phosphate accelerates senescence. CRISPR/Cas9 editing of MIR827 to lower Pi levels also postpones senescence, while overexpression of MIR827 or MIR399, which raises Pi, speeds it up. Transcriptomic profiling reveals coordinated changes in senescence‑associated and metabolic pathways underlying the low‑phosphate response.

The study used CRISPR/Cas12a to introduce targeted in‑frame mutations in the FAD and cytokinin‑binding domains of the rice cytokinin oxidase gene CKX2, aiming to fine‑tune its activity for yield gains. Among 80 edited alleles, five lines displayed superior performance, with the KAMALA line achieving an average 19% increase in grain yield across 18 field sites over three seasons while maintaining grain quality. KAMALA has been registered as the first genome‑edited rice variety approved for cultivation in India.

The study investigated how internode morphology influences stem non‑structural carbohydrate (NSC) storage in rice by measuring NSC content in individual internodes across multiple cultivars over two field seasons. A novel morphological index, the volume composition ratio of upper to lower internodes (VCR_UIN/LIN), exhibited the strongest and most reproducible correlation with whole‑culm NSC and could be modulated by plant growth regulator treatments, establishing it as a robust predictor of NSC accumulation capacity.

The study used precision prime editing to introduce an Arg→Gly substitution in the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) gene of rice, resulting in heightened PEPC activity despite malate inhibition, higher chlorophyll levels, and increased photosynthetic rates under ambient CO₂. The edited lines also produced larger seeds with simultaneous enrichment of zinc, iron, and protein, demonstrating that a single evolutionarily guided amino‑acid change can simultaneously improve photosynthesis and grain nutritional quality in a C3 crop.

A two‑year field trial compared conventional and organic nutrient management on the Basmati rice cultivar Pant Basmati 1, revealing that conventional fertilizer enhanced later‑stage growth and grain yield, while organic inputs increased early plant height and markedly improved soil health and harvest index in the second year. Despite some yield differences, organic management achieved comparable productivity with superior soil macro‑ and micronutrient status, water‑holding capacity, aggregate stability, and enzyme activities, supporting its sustainability as an alternative nutrient regime.

Sixteen upland rice varieties were evaluated under three irrigation regimes (100%, 70%, and 50% field capacity) with additional six‑day water withholding to simulate moderate and severe drought. Yield losses ranged from 35% to 78% depending on stress level, and varieties Dawk Kha, Khao/Sai, and Dawk Pa‑yawm showed the greatest stability, suggesting they are promising for breeding drought‑resilient upland rice.

The study identified a critical two‑week window of elevated maternal temperature during weeks 4–5 after flowering that delays dormancy release in weedy rice seeds. Controlled‑environment and field transplant experiments showed that this late‑reproductive‑stage heat exposure postpones germination after after‑ripening, providing insight for predicting seed behavior and improving weed management strategies.

The study evaluated six commercial spray adjuvants for UAV-based control of rice stem borers, using a T30 UAV equipped with water‑sensitive paper to monitor droplet spreading, deposition density, and uniformity across different flight heights and speeds. Activator 90 markedly improved deposition uniformity (30% lower CV) and achieved the highest deposition density (30 drops/cm²), leading to a 70–87% increase in field control efficacy at the optimal height of 2.5 m and a spray rate of 22.5 L/ha. These findings demonstrate that specific adjuvants can substantially enhance UAV spray performance for precision pest management in rice paddies.

The study developed two rice breeding populations using marker-assisted introgression of the Pup1 locus and a donor for phosphorus-use efficiency, selecting lines directly in smallholder fields of Madagascar without fertilizer. Selected lines were evaluated through farmer-participatory trials across diverse altitudes, leading to the release of two varieties that consistently outyielded the parent IR64 and local checks, showing improved root development, P uptake, and internal P utilization.

The study presents a cost‑effective silver nanoadsorbent that removes >97% of As(III) from water, and demonstrates its ability to alleviate arsenic‑induced toxicity in rice (Oryza sativa cv. MTU 7029) grown hydroponically. Nano‑pretreated water restored seedling growth, root morphology, and antioxidant enzyme activities while reducing oxidative stress markers. These results suggest a potential strategy for using treated irrigation water on arsenic‑contaminated fields.