OT - Snorkel rice could feed millions

by **Don** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 8:07 am

Very cool. With so many rice producing countries in Typhoon and Monsoon areas, this will be a big help.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8208411.stm

A new rice plant has been developed which grows "snorkels" when exposed to floods.

A paper in the journal Nature, describes how the plant elongates rapidly in response to being submerged.

One of the scientists, Motoyaki Ashikari from Nagoya University in Japan, said "the impact is huge".

It could also boost the production of rice in Asia and Africa, where up to 40% of crops are subject to flash floods or deep water.

"People cannot plant any crops in the rainy season, because the crops drown and die in the floods," said Mr Ashikari.

Writing in Nature, Laurentius Voesenek describes how the Japanese scientists discovered the "snorkel" genes in flood-tolerant rice, and introduced them to more sensitive high-yield rice.

"Snorkels" grow as hollow tubes from parts of the plant called internodes, preventing it from drowning.

When the floods arrive, the super rice plants can grow up to 25cm per day.

by **jrnyman28** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 8:32 am

A flash flood is "Inches" of rain in a very short period of time, right? Flooding usually consists of feet of standing water. 25cm a day doesn't seem fast enough to me. But this could be a good thing...

by **stevew2** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 8:35 am

send them some rice a roni {the San Fransico treat

by **Don** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 8:37 am

jrnyman28 wrote:A flash flood is "Inches" of rain in a very short period of time, right? Flooding usually consists of feet of standing water. 25cm a day doesn't seem fast enough to me. But this could be a good thing...

Typhoons usually last a few days so the water builds up gradually. I guess they can tinker with the genes a bit more to accelerate the speed of growth.

by **Since 78** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 8:37 am

Great News. I Love Rice!!

by **Don** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 8:39 am

Since 78 wrote:Great News. I Love Rice!!

I know there are a a few rice burners out there who will appreciate the news.

by **stevew2** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 8:39 am

Since 78 wrote:Great News. I Rove Rice!!

You meant this

by **Esc** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 8:44 am

y'all have a good one.

this ones from me.
they said its my birthday.
haha

hope you like it GB and steve.

by **mdaemon** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 8:50 am

Since 78 wrote:Great News. I Love Rice!!

1 cup of that fucker is 242 calories! I wish there is a "Rice Zero" similar to Coke Zero

by **Chubby321** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 8:51 am

Esc wrote:y'all have a good one.

this ones from me.
they said its my birthday.
haha

hope you like it GB and steve.

Damn that's huge. :lol:

by **Esc** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 8:51 am

^^fotah!
pano resize yan chub?

by **Chubby321** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 8:55 am

Esc wrote:^^fotah!
pano resize yan chub?

LOL, it's fine.

by **Esc** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 8:59 am

^^oki na chub.

shot ka?

by **Chubby321** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 8:59 am

Esc wrote:^^oki na chub.
shot ka?

I don't drink vodka.

by **Don** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:05 am

Esc wrote:y'all have a good one.

this ones from me.
they said its my birthday.
haha

hope you like it GB and steve.

No thanks, I'll stick with Barley Vodka.

by **Esc** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:14 am

you guys are hard to please.

a couple of shots of this and i'll call it a night.
g'nyt everyone.

by **Chubby321** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:31 am

Esc wrote:you guys are hard to please.
a couple of shots of this and i'll call it a night.
g'nyt everyone.

Man, I hate this too.Sorry. :lol:

by **Chubby321** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:33 am

mdaemon wrote:
Since 78 wrote:Great News. I Love Rice!!

1 cup of that fucker is 242 calories! I wish there is a "Rice Zero" similar to Coke Zero

I hope there is such a thing, I love rice. Got to have it at least once a day.

MR

OT - Snorkel rice could feed millions

OT - Snorkel rice could feed millions

Who is online