Research seeks rice that is more resistant to drought.

Research aims to expand alternatives for the production of rice In Brazil, this is achieved through rainfed farming systems, which reduce water dependence and focus on drought-resistant plants. The proposal also aims to contribute to the diversification of production areas and reduce risks to supply.

At the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), the Better Rice program has been developing more productive, early-maturing, and high-quality upland rice varieties for over a decade. According to Conab, more than 80% of Brazilian rice production comes from irrigated rice, concentrated mainly in Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and Tocantins.

“Flooded rice consumes a lot of water and is also a major contributor to methane emissions, a gas related to the greenhouse effect. Upland rice emerges as a more sustainable alternative,” explains researcher Flávia Barbosa Silva Botelho, coordinator of the Better Rice program.

In addition to requiring a large volume of water, irrigated systems are associated with methane emissions. On the other hand, upland rice can be grown in areas previously used for soybeans, corn, beans, and wheat, expanding the possibilities for crop rotation and management.

One of the main challenges of the research is increasing the plants' tolerance to water scarcity. In partnership with the University of Arkansas, the program uses the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technique to study alterations in genes of interest. Among the results, the CMG1590 lineage is in the final registration phase with the Ministry of Agriculture, while other genotypes are still under evaluation.