IRRI develops salt-resistant rice

A NEW generation of rice will make coastal land ravaged by seawater useful again. Abandoned by farmers because the soil is too salty for crop planting, such areas could once again be a source of profit when the salt-resistant rice being developed at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is perfected for propagation.

Unlike regular rice, the new variety can expel salt into the air through its salt glands in the leaves,  said  lead scientist Dr Kshirod Jena. It was created by crossing the wild rice species Oryza coarctata with rice variety IR56 of the cultivated rice species O. sativa. Dr Jena’s team is improving their new doubly salt-tolerant rice and will test it widely to ensure it meets the needs of farmers and consumers. The new variety will be available for farmers to grow within 4 to 5 years.