Monsanto Company today announced a major scientific breakthrough in decoding the genetic make-up of rice, and that it will share its data with researchers around the world. This will enable the world's scientific community to greatly accelerate the development of more nutritious and higher yielding rice. It is also expected to lead to similar developments in other major crops such as corn and wheat. 

The rice genome sequence has been decoded to the level of a 'working draft.' This is the first crop genome to be described in such technical detail, and will provide a new level of understanding of almost all the genes in rice, but leaves certain details yet to be determined. 

A new gene sequencing approach produced the data primarily in the laboratories of Dr. Leroy Hood, at the University of Washington in Seattle, under contract for Monsanto. 

Monsanto's data will be made available to the International Rice Genome Sequencing Project (IRGSP), a ten-member consortium of rice genome sequencing projects around the world. The Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), the lead agency in the IRGSP, confirmed at a press conference in Tokyo today that it will distribute a set of the company's data to members of the IRGSP. 

Earlier today in Tokyo, the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), speaking on behalf of the International Rice Genome Sequencing Project (IRGSP), said this initiative is the first time a private enterprise will share a large volume of genome information globally in this way. The initiative is "to be highly applauded," the Ministry stated. 

The Ministry added that "the use of this data by the international consortium will significantly accelerate decoding" of the entire rice genome. 

Monsanto also will make its data available to researchers outside the international rice sequencing program. Hendrik Verfaillie, President of Monsanto Company, said, "we want to facilitate and encourage basic research to improve rice and other crops. This is a concrete example of our support for global agricultural research." No fees will be charged to scientists for the use of this information, he added. 

Meeting new needs for improved rice 

This new body of information will provide countries and research institutions with the ability to accelerate development of improved types of rice. In the years ahead, rice with better nutritional value, greater yields, and more adaptable to seasons, climates and soils will be developed, both through traditional methods of crop improvement (breeding) and biotechnology. 

This research may also lead to the development of rice varieties that require less environmental resources, including land and water, and utilize natural resources more effectively. 

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) estimates that a billion new rice consumers will be added in Asia by 2020. By that date, four billion people — more than half the world's population — will depend on rice. 

"We hope that sharing this data will lead to many discoveries that enhance food security throughout the developing world," said Mr. Verfaillie. 

Benefits to other crops 

In addition to being one of the most important world food crops, rice serves as a research model. The availability of detailed information about the rice genome will likely lead to advancing global efforts to improve other major food crops, including corn (maize), wheat, barley, sorghum, millet, and others. 

Monsanto undertook this rice genome sequencing project in support of its ongoing crop research and development programs. 

Monsanto Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pharmacia, is a leading provider of agricultural solutions to growers worldwide. Its 12,000 employees provide top-quality, cost-effective and integrated approaches to help farmers improve their productivity and produce better quality foods.

Monsanto rice genome sequencing project - Fact sheet (2623a)
Rice - Fact sheet - Basic facts and figures (2623b)

Company news release
N2623