RESEARCHERS are trialling a new climate-smart black rice variety in the Northern Rivers, with hopes it could offer a resilient and sustainable option for local farms.<\/p>\n
The project brings together Southern Cross University professor Tobias Kretzschmar, Dr Lehoczki-Krsjak, and The Natural Rice Company.<\/p>\n
The research team hosted farmers and industry leaders at a trial plantation site in Gundurimba, where they outlined progress on the three-year project to create a commercially viable local strain.<\/p>\n
Initial work since July last year has involved testing more than 400 rice varieties, with an emphasis on climate resilience and reduced emissions.<\/p>\n
Black rice is highly nutritious and produces fewer greenhouse gases than traditional varieties.<\/p>\n
“It will change the rice industry. It will be more sustainable and climate-friendly,” Dr Lehoczki-Krsjak said.<\/p>\n
“For local farmers, it means they have a broader selection of crops to grow.”<\/p>\n
Dr Lehoczki-Krsjak said the team was also targeting Rice Blast \u2014 a fungal disease that poses a major threat to crops and has already caused significant yield losses across the region this season.<\/p>\n
“The incursion now provides opportunity to assess climate-smart black rice varieties, which are more resilient to weather anomalies, for blast-resistance as well.”<\/p>\n
“This is an opportunity to understand the extent of the problem and how these new varieties might help growers in our booming local dryland rice industry.”<\/p>\n
The Australian Research Council is contributing nearly $418,000 to the project, which runs for three years.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
RESEARCHERS are trialling a new climate-smart black rice variety in the Northern Rivers, with hopes it could offer a resilient and sustainable option for local farms. The project brings together Southern Cross University professor Tobias Kretzschmar, Dr Lehoczki-Krsjak, and The Natural Rice Company. The research team hosted farmers and industry leaders at a trial plantation […]<\/p>\n