Chinese researchers identify gene, called HMGB1, which helps rice with less water.

Jay Hilotin, Senior Assistant Editor

In a big breakthrough, Chinese scientists say they’ve cracked a genetic code in upland rice roots that could help regular rice survive with less water — a game-changer for farming in our warming world.

Their secret weapon? A gene called HMGB1.

Researchers from BGI-Research, Huazhong Agricultural University, and Yunnan University discovered that this gene actually slows down root growth — bad news if you’re a rice plant trying to reach deep underground for water.

By removing HMGB1, the team turned regular irrigated rice into a drought-fighting powerhouse, growing longer, thicker roots just like upland rice (the tough cousin that thrives in dry fields).

Their findings were published in April in the journal Molecular Plant.

Drought tolerance in upland rice

Upland rice, they explained, naturally grows in dry areas thanks to its sturdy roots.

The gene HMGB1 acts like a root-growth brake, so switching it off lets roots grow bigger and stronger — making the plant much more drought-tolerant, the South China Morning Post reported on Thursday.

Why does this matter?

Irrigated rice — the most widely grown rice — uses a massive amount of water.

It covers over half the world’s rice fields and delivers 75% of global rice production.

In Asia, where billions eat rice as a staple, this is a potential “game-changer”.

In China, rice gulps down 70% of the country’s agricultural water. That’s not sustainable with climate change on the rise.

In the Philippines, it costs ₱1.2 million ($21,612) to irrigate one hectare of riceland (though it goes down to ₱300,000 with solar) according to the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).

“376” Number of genes key to rice root development identified by scientists

Vietnam’s annual irrigation budget accounts for about 10% of the state budget.

In Thailand, a recent plan to boost water security, including irrigation, is estimated to cost 548.4 billion baht ($16.7 billion). 

16 varieties 

The research team studied 16 rice varieties, half upland and half irrigated, and analysed their roots and gene activity.

They found 376 genes tied to root development, but HMGB1 stood out as the main player.

The higher its activity, the worse the plant did under drought.

Lead researcher Zhong Liyuan from BGI-Research said their approach could cut years off the usual time needed to breed drought-tolerant rice.

Cross-breeding rice varieties

Instead of crossing plants at random, they can now target specific genes and fast-track the process — though it will still take 8–10 years to develop a stable variety for farmers.

The bottom line?

A hoped-for future where rice fields don’t have to be flooded could be on the horizon.

That’s great news for food security — especially for the billions (over half of the world’s 8.1 billion people) who count on this cereal as their daily go-to staple.

Published Date: May 9, 2025