A group of Japanese scientists has discovered a gene that influences grain yields. By incorporating this gene into the koshihikari variety, the group succeeded in raising rice crop yields by more than 20%.

The team, led by Motoyuki Ashikari of Nagoya University, discovered that in plants where a gene called CKX is more active, a hormone that induces the production of more seeds degrades faster. CKX thus acts as a brake on seed growth, so in plants where the gene is less active the rice yield is higher.

The researchers screened several generations of rice plants crossbred between Indica habataki and Japonica koshihikari to pinpoint the areas of DNA associated with greater grain yields. An account of the research was published in the U.S. journal Science on June 24.

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