Gurdev Khush
Encyclopedia
Dr. Gurdev Singh Khush is an agronomist and geneticist who, along with mentor Dr. Henry Beachell
, received the 1996 World Food Prize
for unparalleled achievements in enlarging and improving the global supply of rice during a time of exponential population growth.
In pursuit of ever-improved rice varieties to nourish the growing developing world and support its agricultural economies, Dr. Khush spent over twenty years directing and participating in genetic research and breeding at IRRI (International Rice Research Institute). Moreover, his work has earned him the legacy of playing a key role in the development of more than 300 innovative rice strains such as Semi-dwarf IR36
.
Henry Beachell
Dr. Henry M. Beachell was an American plant breeder. His research led to the development of hybrid rice cultivars that saved millions of people around the world from starvation....
, received the 1996 World Food Prize
World Food Prize
The World Food Prize is an international award recognizing the achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world.-The Prize:...
for unparalleled achievements in enlarging and improving the global supply of rice during a time of exponential population growth.
In pursuit of ever-improved rice varieties to nourish the growing developing world and support its agricultural economies, Dr. Khush spent over twenty years directing and participating in genetic research and breeding at IRRI (International Rice Research Institute). Moreover, his work has earned him the legacy of playing a key role in the development of more than 300 innovative rice strains such as Semi-dwarf IR36
Semi-dwarf IR36
Semi-dwarf IR36 is a rice variety developed by Gurdev Khush.-History:By cross-breeding IR8 with 13 parent varieties from six nations, Dr. Khush developed IR36, a semi-dwarf variety that proved highly resistant to a number of the major insect pests and diseases that drove down farmers’ rice yields...
.