Saline-resistant paddy trials on: MS Swaminathan

Chennai, June 28: The M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) is conducting field trials for developing paddy which uses a 'genetic shield' as buffer against saline soil.

In his address at a function here, MSSRF Executive Director P C Kesavan said the salt-tolerant genes transferred to this potential super crop were sourced from the mangrove species, Avicennia Marina, found on the East coast.

The trials were progressing well on a piece of land near the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research to benchmark the genetically engineered crop against bio-safety and environmental impact parameters before being released for full-fledged cultivation.

The saline-resistant paddy was conceived to withstand the onslaught of global warming that was pushing up sea levels and leading to salinity in coastal soil and water.

The project that explored yet another potentially path breaking biotechnology application for food security would also mark the transition from the 'green revolution' to 'evergreen' revolution.

UNI