Zhang Jun/Shanghai Daily news

A group of local scientists announced yesterday they have found and cloned a key genetic code in rice that is responsible for salt-tolerance - a breakthrough that could eventually lead to higher yields.
The group's findings were published on the online version of "Nature Genetics" - a UK-based scientific journal - on Sunday and the print issue will be published next month, scientists said.
"Hopefully, our research can speed up the country's development of high-yielding rice species," said Lin Hongxuan, a professor at the Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology - an arm of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Funded by both the central and Shanghai governments, Lin and more than 13 researchers and students spent the past five years completing the project, which they say is a key achievement in the country's agricultural development.
The group was also supported by researchers from the University of California.
During the past five years, Lin and his companions traced the genetic material in six generations of a specially grown hybrid rice.
Each generation took around half a year to grow, Lin said.
By a technique called "precise location," they finally found and cloned the SKC1 gene, which is responsible for salt-tolerance in rice.
Lin said soil with a high salt content can severely affect rice yields, particularly in some coastal areas and the country's northwest regions. Under extreme conditions, it can even reduce rice yields by more than 50 percent.
"Normally, it will take several years for agricultural experts to utilize the discovered gene to optimize rice species and to lift rice yields," Lin said.
He said it might be possible to use the breakthrough to create a genetically modified species of rice.
As the most important grain crop, rice sustains half of the world's population. Improving yields could solve world hunger problems.
According to Wang Guozhong, head of the Shanghai Agricultural Technology Service Center, the discovery will speed up efforts to lift rice yields in the country, although high salt levels aren't a problem for local farmers.
"The discovery is very enlightening and will help farmers increase rice yields in rural areas," he said.