 |
|
Building disease-beating wheat
December 13, 2007Disease resistance genes from three different grass species have been combined in the world's first 'trigenomic' chromosome, which can now be used to breed disease resistant wheat varieties.
Pioneered by CSIRO researchers, in collaboration with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and Sydney University, the research illustrates the major genetic improvements possible without genetic modification (GM) technology.
"Wheat breeders often use wild relatives of wheat as sources of novel genes in breeding new disease-resistant wheats," research team leader Dr Phil Larkin says.
"Unfortunately genes from wild relatives usually come in large blocks of hundreds of genes, and often include undesirable genes. Furthermore, these blocks of genes tend to stay together, even after many generations of breeding.
"The problem can be so difficult to overcome that plant breeders sometimes give up on very valuable genes because they cannot separate them from the problematic genes."
A paper published this month in the respected international journal Theoretical and Applied Genetics details how the team 'recombined' two wild blocks of genes from two different Thinopyrum grass species - a wild relative of wheat - bringing together resistance genes for leaf rust and Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV), two of the world's most damaging wheat diseases. The recombined gene 'package' may also carry a resistance gene against a new stem rust strain which is causing concern worldwide.
"The exciting part of the new research is that we have been able to retain the useful genes but leave behind the associated undesirable genes - most notably in this case those for yellow flour colour, an important quality characteristic in wheat," Dr Larkin says.
By developing new 'DNA markers' and by careful testing the team has produced a number of the disease resistance 'packages' for wheat breeders, making it faster and easier to include these important disease resistance traits in future wheat varieties.
It is hoped other examples will follow and the genetic diversity available in wild species can be recruited more extensively for wheat improvement.
CSIRO Australia
"Unfortunately genes from wild relatives usually come in large blocks of hundreds of genes, and often include undesirable genes. Furthermore, these blocks of genes tend to stay together, even after many generations of breeding.
"The problem can be so difficult to overcome that plant breeders sometimes give up on very valuable genes because they cannot separate them from the problematic genes."
A paper published this month in the respected international journal Theoretical and Applied Genetics details how the team 'recombined' two wild blocks of genes from two different Thinopyrum grass species - a wild relative of wheat - bringing together resistance genes for leaf rust and Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV), two of the world's most damaging wheat diseases. The recombined gene 'package' may also carry a resistance gene against a new stem rust strain which is causing concern worldwide.
"The exciting part of the new research is that we have been able to retain the useful genes but leave behind the associated undesirable genes - most notably in this case those for yellow flour colour, an important quality characteristic in wheat," Dr Larkin says.
By developing new 'DNA markers' and by careful testing the team has produced a number of the disease resistance 'packages' for wheat breeders, making it faster and easier to include these important disease resistance traits in future wheat varieties.
It is hoped other examples will follow and the genetic diversity available in wild species can be recruited more extensively for wheat improvement.
CSIRO Australia
Wheat Current Events and Wheat News RSSScientists at UA, collaborating institutions decode maize genome
Scientists from the University of Arizona led by Arizona Genomics Institute director Rod A. Wing and from collaborating institutions have deciphered the complete genetic code of the maize plant for the first time.
Chromosomes dance and pair up on the nuclear membrane
Meiosis - the pairing and recombination of chromosomes, followed by segregation of half to each egg or sperm cell - is a major crossroads in all organisms reproducing sexually.
DNA barcodes: Creative new uses span health, fraud, smuggling, history, more
The scientific ability to quickly and accurately identify species through DNA "barcoding" is being embraced and applied by a growing legion of global authorities - from medical and agricultural researchers to police and customs authorities to palaeontologists and others.
Rot resistant wheat could save farmers millions
CSIRO researchers have identified wheat and barley lines resistant to Crown Rot - a disease that costs Australian wheat and barley farmers $79 million in lost yield every year.
How Do We Fund Plant Breeding?
Worldwide demand for a safe and secure food supply is growing with plant breeding at the forefront of sustainability discussions; however many research programs have seen their funding decrease due to the erosion of traditional public or formula grants
New computing tool could lead to better crops and pesticides say researchers
A new computing tool that could help scientists predict how plants will react to different environmental conditions in order to create better crops, such as tastier and longer lasting tomatoes, is being developed by researchers.
Invasive species on the march: variable rates of spread set current limits to predictability
Whether for introduced muskrats in Europe or oak trees in the United Kingdom, zebra mussels in United States lakes or agricultural pests around the world, scientists have tried to find new ways of controlling invasive species by learning how these animals and plants take over in new environs.
Top wheat experts call for scaling up efforts to combat Ug99 and other wheat rusts
Wheat experts from 26 countries warn that rapidly-moving, wind-borne transboundary wheat diseases continue to threaten food security and wheat genetic diversity worldwide - particularly in the ancient breadbasket stretching from the Middle East to India - as they vowed new action to isolate and interrupt the steady march of dangerous wheat rust diseases.
UM scientists pinpoint critical molecule to celiac disease, possibly other autoimmune disorders
It was nine years ago that University of Maryland School of Medicine researchers discovered that a mysterious human protein called zonulin played a critical role in celiac disease and other autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis and diabetes.
Opals set to shine with new grading technology
CSIRO and a consortium of Australian Opal miners (Opal Producers Australia Limited) have unveiled the world's first automated device to grade opals using image analysis, at the 2009 National Council of Jewellery Valuers forum in Sydney.
More Wheat Current Events and Wheat News Articles
 |
How to Live on Wheat by John W Hill (Author) This is a cookbook, preparedness resource and survival manual all wrapped into one concise and thorough reference. It covers the acquisition and storage of wheat and other grains and legumes, the preparation of all of the basic foods from the whole grain to the finished product in the simplest and most foolproof manner possible. It includes Essene Bread, Pan Bread, Fry Bread, Sprouting, Sourdough, Food Combination, Baking, Bread Making, Gluten Meat Substitute, Pasta, Improvised Bread Making, Dumplings, Cast Iron Cookery, Salads, Biscuits and Pancakes. This is an essential resource for anyone who cooks with grains, anyone who wishes to prepare for natural disasters or other unexpected events and anyone who just wants to save a lot of money on their food bills. |
 |
6 Gallon Bucket Hard White Wheat by General Mills 6 gallon bucket of hard white wheat by Home Storage Basics, from the General Mills plant in Pocatello Idaho. Do not store directly on concrete or in extreme tempretures. Shelf life good for 20+ years. |
 |
Chemical Free Hard Red Wheat Seed - 5 Lbs - Plant & Grow Wheatgrass, Flour, Grain & Bread, Emergency Preparation Food Storage - Excellent Germination by WheatgrassKits.com All Wheat is Not Equal. We have had the experience of growing wheatgrass and being in the commercial wheatgrass business over the last 14 years. During that time we have experienced many different kinds of wheat. We have used wheat from Texas, Utah, Montana, California, and Israel both organic and non organic. There are two kinds of wheat one can buy: chemical free and certified organic. Most wheat is chemical free in that the farmer might or might not use an herbicide to control the weeds in his fields. If he uses chemicals on the wheat, it will cause a distinct taste in the bread thus no chemicals are used on the wheat itself. Then there is certified organic: Certified organic is the same as chemical free except the wheat is grown by farmers who have not used chemicals on their land... |
 |
Per Second, Per Second, Per Second... Every Second by Wheat |
 |
The Amazing Wheat Book - Info on: gluten (wheat meat), grains, breads, cookies, seasonings, sauces, breakfast cereals, vegetarian dishes, and more! Details ... and hundreds of healthy nutritious recipes. by Learta A. Moulton (Author) The Amazing Wheat Book is the only up to date guide on getting the most out of your stored wheat. Bulk food storage and low cost meals in times of catastrophe, natural disaster, or just economic hard times has always been important. LeArta makes it easy with delicious heart healthy and wholesome recipes on milling, baking bread, gluten (wheat meat), crackers, breakfast cereals, meatballs, soups, seasonings, and even good for you treats! Contains helpful information on: Milling wheat, nutritional values of wheat, storing and preserving wheat and flour, extracting the starch and bran and much more. Vegetarians will love our alternatives to meats, LeArta shows you how to make: Chicken, Steaks, Meatballs, Meatloaf, Sausage, Hamburgers, an many more ALL OUT OF... |
 |
Organic Hard Red Wheat Seed- 35 Lbs- Plant & Grow Wheatgrass, Grind to Make Flour & Bread, Emergency Food Storage Seeds by Living Whole Foods All Wheat is Not Equal. We have had the experience of growing wheatgrass and being in the commercial wheatgrass business over the last 14 years. During that time we have experienced many different kinds of wheat. We have used wheat from Texas, Utah, Montana, California, and Israel both organic and non organic. There are two kinds of wheat one can buy: chemical free and certified organic. Most wheat is chemical free in that the farmer might or might not use an herbicide to control the weeds in his fields. If he uses chemicals on the wheat, it will cause a distinct taste in the bread thus no chemicals are used on the wheat itself. Then there is certified organic: Certified organic is the same as chemical free except the wheat is grown by farmers who have not used chemicals on their land for... |
 |
White Ink, Black Ink by Wheat With their shimmering new album, Taunton' MA's Wheat is back from an extended period of musical hibernation. Following the critical success of their first albums, 1998's "Medeiros" and 1999's "Hope And Adams", the band released their major label debut in 2003, followed a few years later by a home-recorded album; the latter allowing them to reconnect with the process of musical experimentation and improvisation. This, their latest release, contains some of the most concise, well-written songs of the band's career, and also features some of their most intriguing musical explorations. |
|
|
Certified Organic Hard Red Wheat- 10 Lbs- For Growing Wheatgrass to Juice, Sprouting Seed, Grinding to Make Flour & Bread, Food Storage & More by WheatgrassKits.com All Wheat is Not Equal We have had the experience of growing wheatgrass and being in the commercial wheatgrass business over the last 14 years. During that time we have experienced many different kinds of wheat. We have used wheat from Texas, Utah, Montana, California, and Israel both organic and non organic. There are two kinds of wheat one can buy: chemical free and certified organic. Most wheat is chemical free in that the farmer might or might not use an herbicide to control the weeds in his fields. If he uses chemicals on the wheat, it will cause a distinct taste in the bread thus no chemicals are used on the wheat itself. Then there is certified organic: Certified organic is the same as chemical free except the wheat is grown by farmers who have not used chemicals on their land... |
 |
Winter Wheat by Mildred Walker (Author), James Welch (Introduction) 2003 One Book Montana Selection For this Bison Books edition, James Welch, the acclaimed author of Winter in the Blood (1986) and other novels, introduces Mildred Walker's vivid heroine, Ellen Webb, who lives in the dryland wheat country of central Montana during the early 1940s. He writes, "It is a story about growing up, becoming a woman, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, within the space of a year and a half. But what a year and a half it is!" Welch offers a brief biography of Walker, who wrote nine of her thirteen novels while living in Montana. Also of interest: Writing for Her Life: The Novelist Mildred Walker by Ripley Hugo. |
 |
Wheat Berries, Soft White* - 25 Lb Bag Each by Angelina's Gourmet Use instead of Rice as a dinner grain or add to salads, stuffings, soups and casseroles. Soft White Wheat Berries can be cooked with raisins and milk for a nutritious breakfast. |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |