Enhancement of Osmotic Stress Tolerance in Rice 99

Enhancement of Osmotic (Salinity) Stress Tolerance in Rice-99
Project Leader And Principal Uc. Investigators: Jan Dvorak, Professor, Department of Agronomy and Range Science, UC Davis David J. Mackill Research Geneticist, USDA-ARS, Department of Agronomy and Range Science, UC Davis	Reports of increasing salinity problems in the Sacramento Valley prompted a study into the basic biology of salt-stressed rice. Researchers hope to develop an improved understanding of the cellular mechanisms that control salinity tolerance in California rice and to target genes for the transgenic development of salt-tolerant varieties. Salinity tolerance in rice and other cereals is highly correlated with the exclusion of sodium and the maintenance of potassium in developing tissues and rapidly growing leaves. Researchers are searching for genes that control this physiological trait (K/Na selectivity) in rice. A population of rice varieties previously selected for salt tolerance from the University of Arkansas was screened to identify K/Na selectivity. Eight varieties showing enhanced K/Na selectivity relative to salt-sensitive checks were selected for further studies. BAC library rice was successfully screened with a molecular marker linked to the salt tolerance Knal locus in wheat. The unique gene sequences identified will be used as markers in the mapping of the Knal locus in wheat and rice.

Enhancement of Osmotic
(Salinity) Stress Tolerance
in Rice-99

Project Leader And Principal Uc. Investigators:

Jan Dvorak, Professor, Department of Agronomy and Range Science, UC Davis

David J. Mackill Research Geneticist, USDA-ARS, Department of Agronomy and Range Science, UC Davis

Reports of increasing salinity problems in the Sacramento Valley prompted a study into the basic biology of salt-stressed rice. Researchers hope to develop an improved understanding of the cellular mechanisms that control salinity tolerance in California rice and to target genes for the transgenic development of salt-tolerant varieties.

Salinity tolerance in rice and other cereals is highly correlated with the exclusion of sodium and the maintenance of potassium in developing tissues and rapidly growing leaves. Researchers are searching for genes that control this physiological trait (K/Na selectivity) in rice. A population of rice varieties previously selected for salt tolerance from the University of Arkansas was screened to identify K/Na selectivity. Eight varieties showing enhanced K/Na selectivity relative to salt-sensitive checks were selected for further studies.

BAC library rice was successfully screened with a molecular marker linked to the salt tolerance Knal locus in wheat. The unique gene sequences identified will be used as markers in the mapping of the Knal locus in wheat and rice.