Successful breeding of 'diving' rice varieties under water

Japanese scientists have just created rice that can produce ' breathing tubes ' when they are submerged in water.

New rice varieties are being tested at Nagoya University (Japan). Motoyaki Ashikari, a school researcher, said he and his colleagues discovered that some genes produce ' breathing tubes ' in flood-resistant rice varieties. Experts then put these genes into high-yielding rice varieties.

When the rice is submerged in water, the tubular joints will protrude and rise to the surface to get air. Thanks to that, rice does not suffocate. When flood comes, rice can grow 25 cm more every day.

Every year Asia and Africa lose 40% of the rice crop in the rainy season.(Photo: ehow.com)

Ashikari said that rice with ' snorkel ' would have a huge impact on the world food situation.

' In many places on the planet farmers cannot plant any food crops in the rainy season because they will die from flash floods or flooding. In Asia and Africa, up to 40% of food crops die during the annual rainy season. Our new rice variety will help these two continents to significantly increase rice production. The number of people suffering from food shortages will surely decrease , 'he said.