Virtual Booth

Global climate change, which drives prolonged heatwaves and droughts, poses a severe threat to food security, particularly in rice production. This study presents the efficacy of Padi-Flame, an innovative rice variety developed through molecular breeding techniques to enhance tolerance against extreme heat stress. Padi-Flame is capable of maintaining high photosynthetic rates and spikelet fertility at temperatures reaching 38°C to 40°C, a critical threshold that typically devastates conventional rice yields. Based on multi-location plot trials, Padi-Flame recorded a yield increase of up to 25% compared to existing commercial varieties under extreme heat conditions. In addition to heat resilience, this variety exhibits a shorter maturation period and optimum grain quality. Padi-Flame holds substantial potential to empower farmers' climate resilience and secure the future of the nation's staple food industry.

Keywords: Padi-Flame, heat resilience, climate change, food security, rice breeding.