Three advanced rice breeding lines with enhanced drought resistance via roots were developed through the funding of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD). These lines came from a rice plant with a mutated weg1 gene, which was then bred with popular Philippine rice varieties such as Tubigan 14, Tubigan 36, and NSIC Rc 480.
This accomplishment is part of the project, “Molecular Mechanisms of Root System Formation for Genetic Improvement of Rice Adapted to Water Stress Conditions” implemented by the Crop Biotechnology Center of the Department of Agriculture (DA-CBC) at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) Central Experiment Station.
Led by Dr. Roel R. Suralta and assisted by DOST Balik Scientist Dr. Nonawin B. Lucob-Agustin, the project aimed to combat the effects of climate change, which decreases the rice production yield and threatens the country’s food security. Specifically, the project explored the L-type lateral root and associated gene, weg1, to improve the drought resistance of rice. L-type roots develop thicker and longer lateral root systems, while the weg1 gene causes roots to grow in a wavy pattern, thus promoting better root branching and water uptake.
Dr. Lucob-Agustin reported that rice plants with an L-type root system caused by the mutated weg1 gene showed 21–60% increase in root length that maintained high branching and better water uptake, and 9–36% increased yield in response to water stress conditions.
Additionally, it was found that the expression of genes responsible for plastic root development can be “switched on or off” by changing the structure of proteins around the DNA called “histones.” A region in the chromosome was also identified for the expression of the trait under rewatering conditions.
S&T Consultant Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio, commended the significant findings of the project and recommended to disseminate basic research outputs of the project to stakeholders.
Moving forward, the project aims to further validate the performance of breeding lines through field trials and determine how genetic advantage, environment, and crop management practices affect their yield performance.
The review was attended by the DA-CBC project team and key DOST-PCAARRD staff, led by Program Monitoring and Evaluation Head Kristine Joy B. Panaligan-de Guzman, alongside Industry Strategic S&T Program (ISP) Manager for Rice Alvin Quiel C. Sabanal.