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Food security: discovery of a gene for immunity against a disease that ravages rice and wheat crops

Researchers have identified a new type of resistance gene in plants called Ptr, which makes rice immune to certain strains of the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. This finding invalidates previous studies on another gene named Pi-ta and opens up new avenues for understanding natural resistance to disease.

Discovery could pave the way for disease-resistant rice crops

Researchers have identified a specific rice immune receptor that can trigger immune reactions in response to multiple fungal proteins, paving the way for disease-resistant rice crops. Gene-editing technologies could be used to precisely insert genes into rice plants, overcoming issues with linkage drag and enhancing disease resistance.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateAug 15, 2019

Secrets in the soil

Researchers at the University of Delaware have discovered a combination of beneficial soil microbes that can boost rice plant defenses against both arsenic and fungal diseases. By applying a 'health cocktail' of these microbes, plants can better withstand stresses, providing a natural solution for addressing global food security concerns.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalFrontiers in Plant Science·DateNov 17, 2016

Fighting rice fungus

A study published by University of Delaware plant scientists has identified a stress hormone that appears to increase the virulence of the rice blast fungus. The research may lead to new control methods for the devastating disease.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalFrontiers in Plant Science·DateDec 22, 2015

Blunting rice disease

Researchers at the University of Delaware have discovered a naturally occurring microbe that inhibits the devastating fungus known as rice blast, inducing a defense response in rice plants. The beneficial soil microbe, Pseudomonas chlororaphis EA105, reduces fungal growth by 76% and lesion size.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalBMC Plant Biology·DateJun 2, 2014

Climate adaptation of rice

Researchers discovered that colonizing rice plants with fungal spores from naturally salt-tolerant plants enhances their ability to withstand cold, salt, and drought. This emerging strategy, called symbiogenics, could help mitigate climate change impacts on global food security.

SourceU.S. Geological Survey·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 13, 2011

Chemical-free pest management cuts rice waste

A collaborative EUREKA project developed an integrated pest management system, reducing rice waste by over 95% through sustainable technologies. The system uses electronic insect traps, aeration, and modified atmosphere to protect rice during storage, improving quality and food security.

SourceEUREKA·DateMar 17, 2011