IRRI and NARES report promising breakthroughs in salinity-tolerant rice, aiming to enhance resilience for Bangladesh’s farmers.
The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems (NARES) are making significant strides in breeding salt-tolerant rice varieties essential for Bangladesh’s saline-prone agricultural regions. These developments come in response to increasing soil salinity, which affects nearly 30% of Bangladesh’s coastal areas and poses serious challenges for rice cultivation—a vital crop for the nation’s food security and economic stability. Through the 2024 IRRI-NARES Late Maturity Salinity Trials, scientists are developing resilient, high-yielding rice genotypes to better withstand harsh environmental conditions.
The Annual Advancement Meeting of the IRRI-NARES Salinity Trials, hosted on October 28, 2024, at the IRRI Bangladesh Office, gathered scientists and agricultural experts to review the progress made during the 2023-2024 Dry Season (DS). Dr. Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, Project Lead, emphasized the essential role of these trials to develop rice varieties adapting to local conditions and supporting sustainable food security. Dr. Islam stated, “The progress we’ve seen represents a significant step forward in our mission to develop rice varieties that meet Bangladesh’s agricultural needs,”. Dr. Islam reiterated that although IRRI-HQ materials under trial performed well, they were outpaced by locally adapted check varieties, underscoring the need for continued breeding efforts that enhance resilience while catering to local conditions. The commitment to refining these varieties is a priority, with the end goal of providing farmers with rice that can withstand the saline-prone landscapes where it is most needed.
Results from the first two stages of the trials showed several promising lines identified for further evaluation based on Standard Evaluation System (SES) scores, which measure salinity tolerance at vegetative and maturity stages. Dr. Hasanuzzaman Rani of the Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) noted, “These data guide us toward varieties that offer farmers both adaptability and yield, critical for saline-affected regions.” Dr. Akhlasur Rahman, Principal Scientific Officer at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), detailed promising lines selected during Stage 1. These lines, identified based on agronomic traits and Standard Evaluation System (SES) scores for salinity tolerance, demonstrated potential for progression into Stage 2, where their performance will be further evaluated. Dr. Rahman also emphasized the importance of locally adapted varieties for field resilience.
During the meeting, Dr. Mahender Anumalla, Scientist-I from IRRI’s Late Maturity Breeding Team, highlighted the importance of collecting trait-specific data to improve accuracy in selecting salinity-tolerant varieties. This approach ensures that trials accurately reflect real-field conditions. Following Dr. Anumalla’s recommendations, NARES partners plan to incorporate these findings in the upcoming 2024-2025 DS trials.
To continue enhancing resilience, Dr. Waseem Hossain, Senior Scientist-I in Rice Breeding Innovations, reported on promising developments in parental lines with high salinity tolerance. Dr. Hossain projects that these advanced lines could be ready for large-scale field trials within two years, offering Bangladeshi farmers’ rice varieties capable of thriving in challenging saline ecosystem.
The IRRI-NARES Late Maturity Salinity Trials represent a crucial milestone in strengthening Bangladesh’s agricultural resilience. As these salt-tolerant rice varieties move closer to deployment, their impact will extend beyond the lab, supporting the livelihoods of millions in saline-prone regions and contributing to national food security in the face of climate challenges.
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