Not long ago, Zhejiang University successfully cloned a transcription factor that shows apparent enhancement of phosphor efficiency. As the first of its kind in the world, the factor, named OsPTF1, is believed important for raising crop?¯s phosphor efficiency, reducing production costs, and cutting down phosphor contaminations in environment. The research team explored the tolerance to inorganic phosphate (Pi) starvation in rice and its adaptation mechanism, through study of transcription factors?¯ expression in Pi-deficient conditions, and of the hormone metabolism process that controls roots development. Researchers also sorted out allele differences on Pi genes of different sub-species, or same species with different gene types. The project has eventually resulted in a successful cloning of OsPTF1.