Jauwena 1

Abelhard Moshe Jaime Jauwena

Ibu Alissa Gouw
Biology 10
14 December 2015
Sub1 Rice Crops
Genes sequences of DNA control an organisms physical traits. Different genomes
are present in different species; however, some species have certain traits that are beneficial
for others. Genetic engineering enables scientists to transfer said traits across species, thereby
giving birth to genetically modified organisms, via four steps. Firstly, scientists identify the
trait of interest through critical observation. For example, if scientists seek to induce
properties to crops to withstand certain environments, then they search for organisms that
naturally thrive in said environments. Secondly, genomes are analyzed for the specific gene
that contains a desired trait. Intra-species comparison involving an organism with and
without the trait, interspecies comparison, and the deletion of parts of the genome are some
methods of trait identification. Thirdly, the desired trait is inserted in the new genome. This
can be done via several methods. Gene guns shoot DNA-coated metal particles into a plant
tissue; the bacteria A. tumefaciens that carry DNA strands can invade organisms to insert
desirable traits. Lastly, the modified organisms genotype is checked, ensuring that only the
modified genome is propagated. Extensive climate-control and growth-control methods are
then applied to the organism to guarantee its aliveness and functionality (Powell, How to
Make).
Being the staple food for 70% of the developing countries, especially in Asia, rice is a
crucial factor to humanitys wellbeing (Luces, Flood-tolerant rice: the). Unfortunately,
there are many Asian countries that are prone to flooding; consequently, 20 million hectares
of land experience flooding (Flood-tolerant rice saves). Normal rice crops are not

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designed to withstand such abiotic stresses. In India and Bangladesh alone, flooding destroys
4 million rice crops (5 million hectares of rice land) annually, which is enough to feed 30
million people (Engineering Submergence Tolerance). This severe shortage of food
exacerbates the poverty of the people in developing countries, as it results in famine. David
Mackill, a senior scientist at the International Rice Research Institute, however, identified a
flood-resistant gene in low-yield and bad-tasting traditional Indian rice (Ornstein, Fighting
hunger with). The gene, called Sub1, carries three ethylene response transcription factors
(ERFs), which are genes responsive to environmental stress (Pegoraro, et al. Ethylene
response factors). One of the ERFs, Sub1A, was up regulated rapidly underwater, leading
to a high tolerance of submergence (Engineering Submergence Tolerance). It was then
induced to other rice varieties; they can now withstand a 17-day-period submergence without
withering (Ornstein, Fighting hunger with).
With the dissemination of Sub1 rice crops, global hunger has drastically improved.
Five years after field trials, 5 million farmers began to plant Sub1 rice crops, effectively
countering flooding problems (Baos and Buri, A bigger rice bowl). In 2009, Bangladeshi
and Indian farmers experienced three- to five-fold increases in yield from flood-resistant rice
crops (Ornstein, Fighting hunger with). In India, Swarna-Sub1 rice has a 45% yield
advantage over regular Swarna the most popular rice variety in India in a 10-day period
of submergence (Janvry, et al., Impact of Stress-Tolerant). In 2014, four million floodprone acres began to harvest Sub1 rice, decreasing the chance of harvest failure as farmers
experienced a threefold increase in yield (Berlin, Can This Scientist). Furthermore, the
Stress-Tolerant Rice for African and South Asia (STRASA) project distributes Sub1 rice
through NGOs and governmental agencies to 3 million farmers in 2012. Taking into
consideration the social stratum in India, Swarna-Sub1 provides poor, socially disadvantaged
farmers income benefits. Historically, the farmers belonging to the untouchables (the lowest

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of the caste) are unfavorably allocated to low-lying lands that are prone to flooding, ranging
from 1-12 days, due to discrimination and marginalization. A recent study found that low
caste farmers in 128 villages in the Indian state Odisha experience a 25% yield increase in
rice (Folger, The Next Green Revolution; Dar, et al., Flood-tolerant rice). Low caste
farmers are predicted to have a 15.2% larger yield than the general farming population in
heavy flooding areas (Janvry, et al., Impact of Stress-Tolerant).
The functionality of Sub1 genes, however, depend on the genetic background of the
rice variety that it induces. Sub1 genes suppress the crops ability to elongate, halting shoot
growth. Though this trait is purposed to reduce carbohydrate consumption and ensure better
survival under submergence, it could be disadvantageous in areas where a brief
submergence is followed by longer partial flooding, suggest Sarkar et al (878-879). Thus,
there are environmental aspects that need to be considered. Their finding shows that there is a
reduction in Swarna-Sub1 rice grain yield from 2005 (where the weather conditions were
more favorable) to 2006 (where there was a heavy rainfall that resulted in water stagnation).
Said reduction in yield could be attributed to not only the Sub1-induced inhibition in
elongation, but also to the inherent short stature of the Swarna. Also, these two Swarna
factors contribute to the delaying in its flowering, thus maturity, after submergence. Other
genotypes FR13A, IR49830 7, and IR40931 33 with Sub1 genes do not experience any
significant changes in plant height and reduction in yield from 2005 to 2006 due to their taller
seedlings, which avoided complete submergence stress (Sarkar, et al., 878-879).
Septiningsih et al. suggest that Sub1 rice varieties may be intolerant to prolonged partial
flooding above 20cm water depth, which is common in south and southeast Asian lowlands.
Therefore, in regions where both stagnant water and submergence stress occur, Sub1 genes
should be induced into taller rice varieties (Development of submergence-tolerant).

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Through breakthroughs in biological science, food sources can be resistant to biotic
and abiotic dangers, increasing chance of survival and saving the lives of many. Sub1 rice
crops are a major step forward in reducing global hunger, especially those happening in
flood-prone areas of Asia, and in promoting welfare to the disadvantaged low caste groups.
However, proper selection of rice varieties that suit the flooding phenomena of certain areas
must be considered, as it will render the submergence-tolerance trait effective. Nonetheless,
genetic engineering has made tremendous improvement in the agriculture industry, and
further innovations will hopefully address more global issues.

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Works Cited
Baos, Los, and Suphan Buri. A bigger rice bowl. The Economist. The Economist
Newspaper Limited, 10 May 2014. Web. 28 Nov. 2015.
Berlin, Jeremy. Can This Scientist Unite Genetic Engineers and Organic Farmers? National
Geographic. National Geographic Society, 4 May 2015. Web. 26 Nov. 2015.
Dar, Manzoor H., et al. Flood-tolerant rice reduces yield variability and raises expected
yield, differentially benefitting socially disadvantaged groups. Scientific Reports 3315
(2013) : n. pag. Web. 13 Dec. 2015.
Engineering Submergence Tolerance In Rice. The Laboratory for Crop Genetics
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Flood-tolerant rice saves farmers livelihoods. IRRI. Creative Commons, n.d. Web. 28 Nov.
2015.
Folger, Tim. The Next Green Revolution. National Geographic Magazine. National
Geographic Society, n.d. Web. 13 Dec. 2015.
Janvry, Alain de, et al. Impact of Stress-Tolerant Rice on Farmer Welfare in India. Poverty
Action Lab. n.p., n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2015.
Luces, Kim. Flood-tolerant rice: The future of agriculture. GMA. GMA Network Inc., 9
Oct. 2013. Web. 28 Nov. 2015.
Ornstein, Peter. Fighting hunger with flood-tolerant rice. CNN. CNN, 5 Feb. 2009. Web. 26
Nov. 2015.
Pegoraro, Camila, et al. Ethylene response factors gene regulation and expression profiles
under different stresses in rice. Theoretical and Experimental Plant Physiology 25.4
(2013) : n. pag. Web. 4 Dec. 2015.
Sarkar, R. K., et al. Performance of submergence tolerant rice (Oryza sativa) genotypes
carrying the Sub1 quantitative trait locus under stressed and non-stressed natural field

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conditions. Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences 0.14 (2009) : 876-83. Web. 13
Dec. 2015.
Septiningsih, Endang M., et al. Development of submergence-tolerant rice cultivars:
the Sub1 locus and beyond. Annals of Botany 103.2 (2008) : 151-160. Web. 13 Dec.
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Powell, Chelsea. How to Make a GMO. SITN. Science in the News, 9 Aug. 2015. Web. 4
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Yamano, Takashi. Preparing Rice Farmers for Climate Change: Dissemination of
Submergence Tolerant Rice in India. The World Financial Review. The World
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