Wednesday, 20 May 2026
New rice varieties that can withstand prolonged drought and heat are being developed by researchers at the 海角黑料 as climate change brings more extreme weather to some of the world’s biggest rice-growing countries.
This research by a team in the School of Biosciences is part of a wider UK-backed effort to strengthen global food security, helping farmers adapt to long term environmental and geopolitical challenges.
Professors Zoe Wilson, Erik Murchie and Ranjan Swarup are working alongside scientists and rice breeders at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to develop plants with resilient biology. They are homing in on several genes that traditionally help rice to flower and convert light into food, and are about to begin three years of rigorous tests in the Philippines.
At a time when the that “humanity has just endured the eleven hottest years on record”, scientists say that our warming planet is majorly disrupting farming.
The UK imports all of the rice it consumes, mainly from climate-vulnerable countries such as Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Thailand. 3.5 - 4.0 billion people depend on rice as a primary staple food, almost half the global population. Rice is grown on 165–170 million hectares of land. This makes rice the single largest crop by area in Asia and along with wheat and maize one of the top three food crops globally by harvested land area.
Work to make rice crops drought-tolerant in major exporting regions has become even more critical. Professor Erik Murchie, who has researched rice in the UK for nearly three decades, says the aim is to develop rice that can withstand heat and droughts.
Dr Ranjan Swarup and Professor Erik Murchie
“A one-degree Celsius rise in global temperatures cuts rice yields by 6% and fierce heatwaves worsen this situation” he says, “UK-based research supports breeding efforts that go straight from our labs and into rice fields in rice-growing countries.”
Unique ‘growth rooms’ in the University replicate tropical weather conditions and are now home to scores of rice populations that may contain climate-resilient variants of these genes.
Unique ‘growth rooms’ in the University replicate tropical weather conditions and are now home to scores of rice populations that may contain climate-resilient variants of these genes.
There are several projects looking at different aspects of the rice including measuring the root diameter to analyse how this affects growth in heat stress conditions. Using state-of-the-art CT Xray technology at the Hounsfield Facility on Sutton Bonington campus, the team can see the roots in the soil.
Dr Ranjan Swarup explains: “Examining the roots and genetics of the rice plants allows us to understand root traits to potentially engineer lines with the traits needed to withstand heat and drought.”
Analysis of the rice roots
Minister for International Development, Jenny Chapman, said: "Instability in the Middle East and the growing impact of extreme weather are putting pressure on global food production. This matters for developing countries, and the cost of food which hits our shelves at home.
"That's why the UK Government is backing the best of British research, supporting our scientists to develop drought-tolerant rice that can withstand the effects of climate change.
"This is at the core of our modern approach to development. Our investment is good for communities dealing with the impacts of extreme weather, and for Brits worried about the price of food."
With support from the UK’s international climate finance, the 海角黑料’s research is now reaching farmers around the world grappling with climate change.
“When we need rain it does not come, but when it comes it pours too much,” Monira Begum says. She runs a farm with her husband in Barisal – a big city in southern Bangladesh.
“Water is very crucial for us,” Monira explains. “Too little or too much both create problems.” For her, being able to plant new kinds of rice that can handle both intense dry spells and rainfall is a gamechanger.
By developing rice that can withstand record droughts and heatwaves, UK-backed scientists are protecting rice from worsening weather conditions and making sure that the grain continues as a dependable part of diets, including here in the UK.
This research was funded by the UK’s International Climate Finance (ICF) spend, which aims to deliver our international obligations alongside developed countries and other partners. It has already helped 137 million people adapt to the effects of climate change.
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More information is available from Professor Erik Murchie on Erik.Murchie@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the 海角黑料
Ranked 97 in the world and 17th in the UK by the , the 海角黑料 is a founding member of Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the 海角黑料 is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by 鈥� the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 鈥� and by the .
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the third most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2024 report by High Fliers Research. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the , a pioneering collaboration between the city鈥檚 two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.