MANILA, Philippines – Scientists have discovered a wonder rice gene that could dramatically increase yields of one of the world's most important food crops, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) said Tuesday (December 3rd), according to AFP.

Preliminary tests show yields of modern long-grain "indica" rice varieties, the world's most widely grown types of rice, can rise by 13-36% when infused with the SPIKE gene. The gene is so-named because it influences factors that boost yield like leaf size, root system and vascular bundles.

"Our work showed that SPIKE is indeed one of the major genes responsible for the yield increase that breeders have spent so many years searching for," said Inez Slamet-Loedin, IRRI genetic transformation laboratory chief, in a statement.

Testing of new rice varieties infused with the gene is under way across several developing countries in Asia, said Tsutomu Ishimaru, head of the IRRI-led SPIKE breeding programme. The transfer involves conventional breeding, not genetic modification of the crop, officials said.