DEVELOPMENT OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED RICE WITH ENHANCED RESISTANCE TO SALINITY STRESS

Abstract

The escalating salinization of agricultural soils poses a significant threat to global rice production, particularly in regions heavily reliant on rice as a staple crop. This study investigates the development of genetically modified (GM) rice with enhanced resistance to salinity stress through the incorporation of key genes involved in salt tolerance. Using a combination of molecular biology techniques, we generated transgenic rice lines overexpressing genes responsible for ion transport, osmotic regulation, and antioxidant defense. The transgenic rice lines exhibited superior performance compared to wild-type plants under varying NaCl concentrations. Key findings include significantly higher germination rates, improved root length, increased chlorophyll content, and elevated osmolyte (proline and trehalose) accumulation in transgenic plants under salt stress. Furthermore, transgenic rice displayed enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD), suggesting a more robust defense against oxidative stress induced by salinity. These results confirm the potential of GM rice in enhancing crop resilience to salinity and highlight the effectiveness of genetic engineering in addressing challenges posed by environmental stressors. The study underscores the promise of transgenic rice as a sustainable solution to mitigate the effects of salinity on rice production, although further field trials and regulatory evaluations are needed for broader application. The findings also emphasize the importance of integrating genetic engineering with conventional breeding to improve the salt tolerance of crops, ensuring global food security in the face of growing environmental challenges.