Field trials of a genetically modified disease-resistant rice plant developed in the Madurai Kamaraj University laboratory and conducted at three locations in the State have given encouraging results in the first phase. [...] The tests, held at Coimbatore, Aaaduthurai and Ambasamudram, showed that the transgenic plants developed resistance for ’Sheath Blight’ disease, common in paddy crop in the southern India. [...] Around 1,000 seeds of genetically modified rice plants were given to the TNAU for trials and it was found that the loss of yield due to ’Sheath Blight’ disease could be prevented.