AN Australian researcher is leading the way in solving one of the worst problems facing the rice industry.
Melissa Fitzgerald has made a recent breakthrough in the battle to understand and overcome chalky rice, which results in the grain breaking or becoming a powder during the milling process.
Dr Fitzgerald, who has worked at the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines for the past five years, has identified DNA sites that cause chalkiness in rice.
Chalky rice has been a problem in the industry for many years.
Scientists have found that it occurs if hot weather prevails during the grain-filling period.
It was first believed to be related to starch development, but Dr Fitzgerald's research team had discarded that theory.
With funding from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, she discovered that the panicle - or the branched flower head of the rice plant responsible for seed development - did not have enough time to produce perfect grain.
"Chalk is a real problem of climate change and has potential to wipe out yield," Dr Fitzgerald said.
"Imagine if you had a nice-looking crop, with nice-looking panicles and you went with high expectation to the local mill and then it all crumbled to pieces."
Dr Fitzgerald's research team is looking to develop molecular markers, which will enable rice breeders to select against chalkiness in rice.
