Severe heat waves can devastate paddies, cause economic losses and threaten food security for millions. Researchers at Huazhong Agricultural University in Wuhan, the Hubei Province of the Chinese mainland, have pinpointed a key gene that boosts natural protective mechanisms in rice under high-temperature stress.
Published this week in Cell, the study reveals how enhancing expression of the heat-resistance gene helps rice maintain grain size, shape and yield even when daytime temperatures climb above 40°C.
Researchers anticipate that combined with modern breeding, this genetic breakthrough could accelerate the rollout of heat-tolerant rice varieties in regions from South and Southeast Asia to Africa, where rice feeds billions and rising temperatures threaten food security.
For young global citizens, agritech innovators and policy leaders, this finding shows the power of science-driven solutions in building climate resilience. As the planet warms, genetic insights like this could be critical to ensuring staple crops thrive rather than just survive.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
