Sawaal-Jawaab: Growing food in the face of salinity and drought

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How does the Pokkali variety of rice survive in saline conditions? Prof. M K Mathew discussed the defense mechanisms adopted by the cells of rice crops (such as Pokkali rice) to survive saline conditions.


Detailed studies reveal that salt accumulates in the cell vacuole. Also, the root cells of these crops are almost impervious to sodium. The crops also happen to have long roots that go deep into the soil- something similar to mining for water.


Date: March 7, 2020
Speaker: Prof. M. K. Mathew (NCBS Bangalore)
Venue: TIFR Hyderabad auditorium


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