IRRI's achievements & successes

Developing cold-tolerant rice for the winter season in Bangladesh

Rice crops grown during the winter (or boro) season in Bangladesh--not to mention those planted in several high-elevation areas of the tropics--are significantly affected by low-temperature stress at the seedling stage if not during the entire growth period. Through IRRI's research program using modern cold-tolerance screening technology in South Korea, researchers have identified two indica rice genotypes, IR66160-121-4-4-2 and IR61727-4B-1-1-1, which have cold tolerance at the seedling and reproductive stages.

Using molecular breeding strategies, cold-tolerance genes are now being incorporated into cold-susceptible Bangladeshi rice varieties. The new germplasm will improve the yield potential for farmers in Bangladesh growing rice during the winter season with the potential of providing this germplasm for other colder areas of the tropics as well.