Beijing (TDI): Chinese scientists have discovered a key gene that considerably improves rice’s tolerance to extreme heat while preserving grain quality and increasing yields — a breakthrough with major implications for food security amid climate change.
The gene, named QT12, was discovered by scientists from Huazhong Agricultural University in Wuhan, central China. Their research was published Wednesday in the prestigious journal Cell.
QT12 works by interacting with the NF-Y protein complex, forming a defensive mechanism inside rice grains under high heat.
Li Yibo, the study’s corresponding author, said that this interaction protects the grains from temperature stress while boosting starch and protein synthesis.
The researchers conducted lengthy field trials during last year’s heatwave across major rice-producing cities — Wuhan, Hangzhou, and Changsha — all located within the Yangtze River basin, which accounts for roughly two-thirds of the country’s rice production.
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After incorporating QT12 into the hybrid rice variety “Huazhan”, the yield was increased by 49.1 percent in Wuhan, 77.9 percent in Hangzhou, and 31.2 percent in Changsha, while it also enhanced grain quality.
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“These results shows QT12’s potential as a powerful tool to deal with yield loss caused by rising global temperatures,” Li said. “This gene provides a novel molecular plan to breed rice that performs well under temperature stress without compromising quality.”
