Asian Rice Pangenome

Scientists have created the first-ever Asian rice pangenome, encompassing genetic data from 144 wild and cultivated rice varieties.

What is a Pangenome?

A pangenome is a comprehensive genomic resource that includes both core genes shared by all individuals and unique genes found in some individuals of a species.
It offers a more complete picture of genetic variation than a traditional reference genome.

Global Importance: Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a staple food for two-thirds of the global population and a critical crop in Asia.
Genetic Benefits: Understanding genetic diversity helps improve disease tolerance, climate resilience, and nutritional quality of rice.
Domestication Link: The study strengthens knowledge of rice domestication, linking modern rice to wild progenitor O. rufipogon, particularly the Or-IIIa group, ancestor of japonica rice.
Stress Adaptation: The pangenome offers genetic resources to enhance rice’s adaptation to environmental stress and regenerative potential.

Feature	Reference Genome	Pangenome
Definition	Genome of a single representative variety	Combined genomic data from multiple varieties
Gene Coverage	Includes only the genes present in one variety	Includes both core (shared) and unique genes from many varieties
Core Genes Identified	Not specifically categorized	28,907 core genes shared among all studied varieties
Unique/Wild-Specific Genes	Typically not included	Includes 13,728 wild-rice-specific genes
Genetic Material Coverage	Limited to one genome	Contains 3.87 billion base pairs of novel sequences not in the reference genome
Genetic Diversity Representation	Low	High as it captures broader genetic variation
Utility	Basic genetic reference	Enables identification of novel traits and improved trait mapping
Use in Breeding Programs	Limited applicability	High potential for developing stress-tolerant and high-yield varieties

The pangenome enables scientists to:
- Develop new rice cultivars with better resistance to drought and diseases
- Transfer beneficial traits from wild rice to cultivated rice
- Address climate change impacts, such as yield loss and increased arsenic uptake
Using ‘PacBio high-fidelity’(HiFi) sequencing technology and computational methods, the analysis revealed 3.87 billion base pairs of novel genetic sequences.
- These Genome data can guide precision breeding for yield enhancement, stress tolerance, and climate adaptation.

India produced a record 220 million tonnes of rice in 2024–25 with an average yield of 4.2 tonnes/ha.
In 2024, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) announced genome-edited varieties like Samba Mahsuri and MTU 1010 with improved drought resistance and higher yields.
India’s rising temperatures (0.7°C since 1901; 2024 was the hottest year on record) make such research critical for national food security.

Also Read
UPSC Daily Editorials	UPSC Daily Current Affairs
Daily Current Affairs Quiz	Daily Main Answer Writing
Check Out Previous Years Papers From PW Store	UPSC Test Series
Check Out UPSC NCERT Textbooks From PW Store	Check Out UPSC Modules From PW Store