By VINCE ANGELO FERRERAS, GMA Integrated News
**Published** April 3, 2025 9:04pm
Maria Tan/ AFP/File photo
Filipino researchers recently launched a project that seeks to search for novel genes of rice that are high-yielding, nutritious, and can adapt to various climates through the generation of the whole genome sequences of 1,001 Philippine traditional rice varieties.
The project is funded by the Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) and led by Ma. Genaleen Diaz of the Philippine Genome Center Program for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Forestry (PGC-Agriculture) in the University of the Philippines (UP) Los Baños.
The project will sequence the whole genomes of 1,001 Philippine traditional rice varieties and assemble a reference genome of the Dinorado variety, ''known for its excellent eating quality and high economic importance,'' said DOST-PCAARRD in a statement.
“The genomic data will be instrumental in discovering target traits, such as herbicide tolerance, early maturity, low phytic acid content, and micronutrient density. These traits are expected to improve weed management, shorten growing periods to avoid typhoon damage, enhance seed germination in wet conditions, and boost rice’s nutritional value,” the DOST-PCAARRD said.
“Another key output to be developed through the project is the Philippine Rice Genome Database (Ph Rice GDB)—a centralized platform for storing and analyzing genome data to support rice breeding initiatives,” it added.
Other members of the project team are experts from PGC-DNA Sequencing and Bioinformatics Core Facilities (DSCF) of UP Diliman, the DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute of the Department of Agriculture, and the International Rice Research Institute. — **VBL, GMA Integrated News**