ICAR Unveils World's First Genome-Edited Rice

May 5, 2025

Why in News?

ICAR has developed the world’s first genome-edited rice varieties featuring higher yields, drought and salinity tolerance, and improved nitrogen-use efficiency, making them climate-resilient and water-conserving.

What’s in Today’s Article?

Genome Editing in Plants and GM Crops
ICAR Develops Two Genome-Edited Rice Varieties
Practical Benefits of ICAR’s New Genome-Edited Rice Varieties
Significance of the Breakthrough in Genome-Edited Paddy
India’s Push for Genome Editing in Agriculture

Genome Editing (GE) in Plants and GM Crops

Genome editing in plants refers to making precise, targeted changes to a plant's DNA without introducing foreign genetic material.
- It uses technologies like CRISPR-Cas9 to edit specific DNA sequences within a plant's existing genome.
- This can involve deleting, inserting, or modifying DNA at precise locations.
On the other hand, GM crops involve inserting genes from other organisms into the plant's genome.
In essence, genome editing modifies existing DNA, while GM crops introduce new DNA.
India has exempted GE crops from biosafety regulations under the Environment (Protection) Act of 1986.
- These regulations govern both field trials and release for commercial cultivation in the case of GM crops.

ICAR Develops Two Genome-Edited Rice Varieties

ICAR has developed the world’s first genome-edited rice varieties—DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala) and Pusa DST Rice 1—to enhance yield, drought and salinity tolerance, and nitrogen-use efficiency, without using any foreign DNA.
DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala)
- Developed by: ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research (ICAR-IIRR), Hyderabad
- Parent Variety: Samba Mahsuri (BPT 5204)
- Gene Targeted: Cytokinin Oxidase 2 (CKX2 or Gn1a)
- Technology Used: Site Directed Nuclease 1 (SDN1) genome editing
  - SDN1 uses DNA-cutting enzymes (nucleases) to create a targeted break in the DNA at a specific location.
- Key Traits:
  - Early maturity (~130 days; 20 days earlier than parent)
  - Drought tolerance
  - High nitrogen-use efficiency
- Superior yield:
  - 5.37 tonnes/ha (vs. 4.5 t/ha for parent) – 19% increase
  - Up to 9 t/ha under optimal conditions
  - Retains the grain and cooking quality of Samba Mahsuri
- Recommended Zones: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala (Zone VII), Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh (Zone V), Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal (Zone III).
Pusa DST Rice 1
- Developed by: ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-IARI), New Delhi
- Parent Variety: MTU1010
- Gene Targeted: Drought and Salt Tolerance (DST) gene
- Technology Used: SDN1 genome editing
- Key Traits:
  - Drought and salinity tolerance
  - Enhanced yield under stress conditions:
    - Inland salinity: 3,508 kg/ha (9.66% higher than MTU1010)
    - Alkaline soils: 3,731 kg/ha (14.66% higher)
    - Coastal salinity: 2,493 kg/ha (30.4% higher)
  - Contains no foreign DNA, comparable to conventional varieties
- Recommended Zones: Same as Kamala – major rice-growing states across India

Practical Benefits of ICAR’s New Genome-Edited Rice Varieties

Higher Yields, Lower Emissions
- Cultivating DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala) and Pusa DST Rice 1 over 5 million hectares can:
  - Increase paddy production by 4.5 million tonnes
  - Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 32,000 tonnes (approx. 20%)
Significant Water Savings
- Kamala's shorter maturity period allows for:
  - Three fewer irrigations
  - Savings of 7,500 million cubic metres of irrigation water, which can benefit other crops
Use of Safe and Award-Winning Technology

Developed using CRISPR-Cas9 genome-editing technology, awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
No foreign DNA used; only native gene edits to enhance traits
Follows Site Directed Nuclease 1 (SDN1) and SDN2 methods — considered equivalent to natural mutations

Exempt from Stringent GMO Regulations
- Under India's Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, SDN1 and SDN2 crops are:
  - Exempt from strict GMO rules (Rules 7–11)
  - Classified as genome-edited, not genetically modified
Regulatory Clearances Granted

Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBC) of ICAR approved the lines
Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM) cleared them in May 2023
Declared safe under India’s simplified regulatory framework for genome-edited crops

IPR Concerns Being Addressed
- Some concerns exist about the Intellectual Property Rights of the genome-editing technology, but ICAR has assured they are being looked into and will be resolved in due course

Significance of the Breakthrough in Genome-Edited Paddy

Paddy: India’s Most Critical Foodgrain Crop
- Paddy is the main kharif crop and occupies one-third of India’s foodgrain cultivation area.
- It contributes about 40% to the total foodgrain basket, making it essential for national food security.
- Major paddy-growing states include: West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, and Assam.
India’s Paddy Production Paradox
- India had the largest area under paddy cultivation (45 million ha) globally in 2020.
- But in production, India ranked second (186.5 million tonnes) after China (211 million tonnes).
- The gap is due to lower yield in India:
  - India: 4,138 kg/ha
  - World average: 4,717 kg/ha
  - China: 7,043 kg/ha
  - Indonesia: 5,128 kg/ha
  - Bangladesh: 4,809 kg/ha

India’s Push for Genome Editing in Agriculture

Beyond Rice: Genome Editing in Other Crops
- Genome-editing research is underway for oilseeds and pulses.
- The University of Delhi has already developed a genome-edited mustard variety.
Government Support and Funding
- The Indian government has allocated ₹500 crore for genome-editing research in agricultural crops to boost yield and climate resilience.