China Super Hybrid Rice Genome Plan Surging Ahead

How, you may wonder, could the output of super hybrid rice achieve considerable per mu (15 mu equals to 1 hectare) yield of 1100 kilograms?

To unveil the myth behind, China Super Hybrid Rice Genome Plan (CSHRGP) that was kicked off half a year ago by experts in genome and rice, now has made a big headway. Scientists discovered what has resulted in high output of rice has something to do with some genome posting points in relation to the rice quality, photosynthesis and other factors.

Beginning from last May, CSHRGP constitutes an important part of China Life Resource Genome Plan (CLRGP) conducted by national scientists, after the draft of Human Genome Plan was obtained. In line with the CLRGP, Chinese scientists have planed to get the genome sequence of pig, super hybrid rice, and other life species, which have helped to win for China a place in the competition of genome resource.

By the end of 2000 scientists have achieved satisfactory results. Some 500-million alkali base pairs have been identified.

Researchers are now devoting themselves to the handling of the data, making investigation and analysis upon genome and ready to set out to construct DNA database. In addition, put on the working list as their target is to procure rice genome structure of 90 percent, map out genome draft for Chinese hybrid rice, identify the key and unique genomes, and build up rice heredity pedigree and database of hybrid-rice seed genome



By PD Online Staff Yin Zhili


People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/