On April 20, 2026, the SRI Global Research Network hosted the seventh session in its webinar series, titled “Transcriptomic Profiling of Rice Plants under SRI and Conventional Management: Insights into Abiotic and Biotic Stress Pathways.” The featured speaker was Nurtasbiyah Yusof from Meiji University (Japan), and the session was moderated by Dedat Prismantoro from Padjadjaran University (Indonesia).
In her presentation, Nurtasbiyah examined how different water management practices in SRI with alternate wetting and drying (AWD) compared to conventional continuous flooding affect gene expression and physiological responses in rice plants. Using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), she presented a detailed transcriptomic analysis capturing how roots and leaves respond differently under varying water regimes.
Her findings highlighted that irrigation practices alone can drive substantial variation in gene expression, especially in root systems, where thousands of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified depending on genotype and water conditions. Under SRI/AWD conditions, rice plants shift from hypoxia-adaptation mechanisms toward drought and stress-responsive pathways, including osmotic adjustment, antioxidant defense, and enhanced metabolic flexibility.
The study provided valuable insight into the organ-specific nature of plant responses. Roots had widespread transcriptional reprogramming, but leaves had more targeted changes particularly in regulating stomatal behavior, photosynthesis, and stress signaling. The findings reveal substantial genotype-dependent strategies, with some types preferring growth maintenance and others emphasizing chemical defense or metabolic reconfiguration under stress conditions.
The discussion further emphasized the importance of understanding molecular mechanisms behind SRI practices, as these insights can support the development of climate-resilient rice varieties.
Moderator Dedat Prismantoro directed the discussion toward linking sophisticated molecular research with real-world applications. The webinar focused on how combining SRI management with advanced tools like transcriptomics can create a stronger scientific foundation for sustainable rice growing strategies.
For those who were unable to attend the live session, the full recording is available on YouTube below. To stay updated on future webinars and research outputs, visit sri-research.org.
