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Tiny Grains of Rice Hold Big Promise for Greenhouse Gas Reductions, Bioenergy

posted by takyon on Thursday July 30 2015, @06:25PM   
from the golden-grains dept.

Phoenix666 writes:

Rice serves as the staple food for more than half of the world's population, but it's also the one of the largest humanmade sources of atmospheric methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Now, with the addition of a single gene, rice can be cultivated to emit virtually no methane from its paddies during growth. It also packs much more of the plant's desired properties, such as starch for a richer food source and biomass for energy production, according to a study in Nature.

With their warm, waterlogged soils, rice paddies contribute up to 17 percent of global methane emissions, the equivalent of about 100 million tons each year. While this represents a much smaller percentage of overall greenhouse gases than carbon dioxide, methane is about 20 times more effective at trapping heat. SUSIBA2 rice, as the new strain is dubbed, is the first high-starch, low-methane rice that could offer a significant and sustainable solution.

Researchers created SUSIBA2 rice by introducing a single gene from barley into common rice, resulting in a plant that can better feed its grains, stems and leaves while starving off methane-producing microbes in the soil.

"Researchers created SUSIBA2 rice by introducing a single gene from barley into common rice." So, does it ferment to sake, or beer?

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Original Submission

• But .... But .... (Score: 3, Insightful) by PinkyGigglebrain on Thursday July 30 2015, @07:52PM

  by PinkyGigglebrain (4458) on Thursday July 30 2015, @07:52PM (#215994)

  This new strain of rice need more water and fertilizer to achieve the promised higher yields. If it doesn't get them it doesn't live up to its hype.

  Most Fertilizers are petroleum based, need lots of water to create and generate loads of GH gases during production.

  In many of the areas this is supposed to benefit water is in short supply.

  Have these issues been taken into account with regards to the "Green house gas reduction" and "higher yield" claims?

  --
  "Beware those who would deny you Knowledge, For in their hearts they dream themselves your Master."

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• Re:But .... (Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 30 2015, @09:46PM

  by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 30 2015, @09:46PM (#216037)

  More importantly: What's the licensing cost?

  Parent