Oyebamiji Yusuf Opeyemi
In the battle against climate change and its devastating impact on agriculture, researchers have achieved a significant breakthrough in rice production. A new study has unveiled drought-tolerant rice varieties that promise higher yields and better resilience, offering a lifeline to farmers worldwide. Drought (water scarcity), remains one of the most significant challenges to rice cultivation, reducing yields and threatening global food security. Recognizing this, a team of researchers at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, successfully developed and tested 28 novel breeding lines (BLs) using a four-way crossbreeding technique that combines traits for drought tolerance, submergence resilience, and resistance to sheath blight.
The team led by Oyebamiji successfully developed a four-way F3 rice population, combining multiple genetic traits to produce high-yield, drought-tolerant lines. The research, which built upon a previous study, developed a unique four-way F3 population by crossing rice genotypes carrying critical yield and stress-tolerance traits. These include the drought-yield genes (qDTY12.1and qDTY3.1), the submergence tolerance gene (Sub1), and the sheath blight-resistant QTL (qSBR11-1TT). The study evaluated the morpho-agronomical responses of these 28 breeding lines under reproductive stage drought stress conditions, a critical growth stage for rice. Traits such as plant height, chlorophyll content, number of tillers, panicle count, and grain yield were recorded and analyzed using advanced statistical tools.
Despite mild rain episodes during the screening period, the results were groundbreaking. On average, the breeding lines outperformed traditional check varieties in most traits, including grain yield (GY). The team discovered a striking 71% of the new lines produced higher yields than the standard genotypes under drought stress conditions. Moreover, most traits positively correlated with grain yield, underscoring their significance in improving overall crop performance.
Notably, the combination of qDTY QTLs and Sub1 played a pivotal role in enhancing drought tolerance while maintaining high yields.
This study’s success signifies a major leap forward in developing climate-resilient rice varieties. The identified high-yielding, drought-tolerant individuals can now be advanced to further stages of breeding and evaluation. This development aligns with global initiatives to combat food insecurity, particularly in regions most vulnerable to climate change. According to the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Philippines, drought affects approximately 23 million hectares of rainfed rice globally, causing billions of dollars in annual losses. “This research represents a turning point in rice breeding. By integrating multiple stress-resilient traits, we’re not just improving yields but ensuring sustainability for millions of farmers facing unpredictable weather patterns,” said a lead researcher involved in the study. The findings also resonate with global efforts by scientists like Dr. Hei Leung from IRRI, who has emphasized the importance of combining stress-tolerant traits for durable rice varieties.
This innovative work has been presented in several conference including the 5th International Plant Breeding Conference (a renowned biennial conference) and earned Oyebamiji the Best Oral Presenter Award, cementing the team lead, Oyebamiji’s status as a star in plant biology. Oyebamiji’s presentation at the conference not only earned him top honors but also resonated with global scientists and stakeholders in plant breeding. His findings will now guide future breeding programs aimed at advancing these high-yielding, drought-tolerant lines to wider production scales.
“The integration ofgene (qDTYs with Sub1) has proven transformative, not only in improving drought resilience but also in enhancing yield potential. This marks a new era for sustainable rice production,” Oyebamiji remarked during his award-winning presentation. This milestone aligns with global goals to ensure food security amidst climate challenges. As Dr. Hei Leung of IRRI has emphasized, integrating stress-resilient traits is essential for creating durable rice varieties. Oyebamiji’s research is a shining example of such integration.
As the selected lines progress through further testing, they hold immense promise for regions prone to drought stress, particularly in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa including Nigeria, where rice is a dietary staple. By adopting these resilient rice varieties, Nigerian farmers can achieve higher yields despite climate stress, ensuring stable production and food security. This breakthrough could significantly reduce rice import dependency, improve farmers’ livelihoods, and strengthen the country’s economy. By adopting these resilient rice varieties, Nigerian farmers can achieve higher yields despite climate stress, ensuring stable production and food security. For Oyebamiji, this is just the beginning. “We envision a future where farmers, even in the harshest environments, can cultivate rice with confidence,” he said. His work symbolizes hope for millions of smallholder farmers struggling with unpredictable weather patterns. As the world grapples with climate change, the need for innovative agricultural solutions has never been more urgent. Oyebamiji’s award-winning research provides a beacon of hope, proving that science and determination can overcome even the toughest challenges. This ground-breaking research offers a beacon of hope for achieving sustainable rice production in an era of climate uncertainty, ensuring that this vital crop continues to feed the world’s growing population.
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