Researchers conducted a genetic audit to verify the variability of the GLU-B1 gene in wheat, finding that most alleles were duplicated or triplicated. They developed a master set of wheats covering the gene's variability, providing a tool for breeders to improve wheat quality and quantity.
New research shows wheat is more sensitive to heat waves before flowering, but later heat waves reduce grain weight after an early heat wave. Sequential heat waves may also provide 'priming' protection against later heat waves.
Researchers studied ancient wheat and barley genes to identify potential solutions for adapting crops to climate change. The study identified genes that have conserved functions across different species, opening up new avenues for varietal selection programmes.
A new study links severe water scarcity in wheat-growing regions to global wheat prices, finding that 3°C of warming could triple average wheat prices. The study used climate observations, crop geography, and global commodity prices to explore this connection.
A new study from IITGN and UFZ suggests that restructuring cereal cropping around nitrogen surplus can lower water use and farm emissions simultaneously, while maintaining food output steady. The approach averted an estimated ₹10,000 crore a year in pollution damage and reduced agricultural greenhouse gas emissions by 8.7%.
Researchers discovered that three bacteria, including P. inefficax, can alter the soil microbiome to protect wheat from a fungus that causes root rot. The bacteria increase root biomass, exhibit growth-promoting genes, and produce beneficial plant compounds, strengthening the plant's defenses.
A new study reveals that climate change can lead to a significant increase in wheat prices, with severe water scarcity being a key driver. The researchers found that wheat prices are more closely linked to water scarcity than other crops, and that compound drought events are expected to become more common in a warmer climate.
A new study by the University of Delaware has identified global hotspots of drought-sensitivity and resilience in major crops like rice, corn, and soybeans. These hotspots reveal areas particularly susceptible to drought, such as the Midwestern US, eastern Brazil, and northern India.
Research by CSU scientists found that soil organic carbon benefits crops the most during moderate water supply conditions, not extreme drought. Increasing soil organic carbon makes crops more stable and resilient from year to year.
Kaminski's work highlights the importance of perennial foods, which represent a way of belonging to the earth and a different way of farming. Her poem 'Neighbors' captures the bonds of reciprocity created through shared practices like tending to plants, highlighting the connection between community, land, and emotional content.
Novin AgriTech received an $174,906 USD grant from the US Department of Agriculture to develop nitrogen use efficiency trait in elite wheat cultivars. The company's platform technology will introduce genetic tools to improve nitrogen use efficiency.
Researchers have identified a novel genetic locus in the common agricultural weed Elymus repens that provides significant resistance to Fusarium Head Blight, a destructive fungal disease threatening global food security. The novel Fhb.Er-1StL locus has been successfully transferred into wheat, reducing diseased plant spikelets by up to...
A global collaboration will create a comprehensive atlas of wheat biology using spatial omics, enabling researchers to decode integrated mechanisms of development and stress response. This technology aims to improve grain yield and quality for bread-making, addressing food insecurity and malnutrition.
An international team is calling for a coordinated effort to map gene expression across every cell type and developmental stage of wheat. Spatial omics technologies can transform wheat research by revealing how individual cells respond to stress, regulate grain development, and control yield-related traits.
Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a destructive wheat disease that can reduce yields and contaminate grain with toxins. New research in Plant Disease identified several emerging fungal pathogens, including a previously undescribed species, responsible for the severe outbreak in Ethiopia.
Researchers identified a mechanism allowing plants to rapidly slow growth in response to extreme stress. By limiting growth-related compounds, plants pause development and cope with stress. The finding has practical applications for developing more resilient crops.
A new study challenges the common method used worldwide to measure genetic progress in crop breeding, finding that most reported gains are due to maintenance breeding, not genetic improvements. This has significant implications for agricultural research policy and investment, highlighting the need for more robust evaluation methods.
Researchers at Colorado State University have found a way to boost plant growth while maintaining its immune system through hormone treatment, showing promise for increasing food production. The approach involves genetically manipulating phytohormone interactions to restore cell division and increase disease resistance.
A new study reveals that soil acidity influences how wheat competes with microorganisms for nitrogen. Wheat absorbed more nitrogen in calcareous soil, while microbial competition was stronger in acidic soils.
Researchers have identified Aegilops cylindrica as a powerful genetic reservoir for resistance against the devastating fungal pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici. The study reveals novel mechanisms of immune suppression by the pathogen and offers new insights into plant immunity.
Researchers propose a multi-pronged strategy to boost grain number in wheat by unlocking branched varieties, maintaining meristem activity, improving floret fertility, and enhancing nutrient transport. A multi-omics approach integrating genomics, metabolomics, and phenomics will be used to re-engineer wheat inflorescence architecture a...
A breakthrough study from Aarhus University identified two amino acid changes that allow plants to switch off their immune system and form symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. This discovery could lead to breeding crops like wheat, barley, and maize that can fix nitrogen themselves, reducing the need for artificial fertilizer.
A study warns that Ukraine's soils are losing vital crop nutrients due to reduced fertilizer access and inefficient farming practices. To mitigate this, the authors recommend better farm management, efficient use of fertilizers, and introducing legumes into crop rotations.
Researchers have discovered that extended periods of high stress in wheat crops can lead to iron deficiency and stunted growth. By reducing iron deficiency with a synthetic organic molecule called PDMA, plants are able to improve photosynthesis and biomass under heat stress conditions.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that non-coeliac gluten/wheat sensitivity (NCGWS) affects approximately 10.3% of the global population, with distinct variations in prevalence across countries. Symptoms often improve when gluten or wheat is avoided, but diagnosis remains challenging due to unclear disease process.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide discovered a gene responsible for a rare form of wheat that grows three ovaries per flower. The study found that a complex genome rearrangement was associated with the activation of a normally dormant WUSCHEL-D1 gene, leading to increased grain production and improved breeding technologies.
Researchers have discovered new layers of hidden genetic diversity in wheat, which could help improve crop resilience and adaptability. The study used RNA analysis and de novo annotation to reveal previously unknown gene expression patterns, providing valuable insights for plant breeding programs.
A recent study by Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich shows that extremely dwarf wheat has a less favorable gluten composition than semi-dwarf or tall wild-type wheat. This can lead to poorer baking properties. Environmental conditions also play a significant role in shaping gluten composition.
A new multiyear study reveals wheat disease losses totaling $2.9 billion in the US and Canada between 2018 and 2021. The top three yield-reducing pathogens were fusarium head blight, stripe rust, and leaf rust.
Researchers have discovered that applying a beneficial fungus to soil leads to wheat accumulating more bioavailable zinc and iron. The fungus inoculation did not affect grain phytate content, resulting in greater estimated bioavailability of micronutrients.
Researchers found that cultivating bread wheat with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus irregularis increases grain size and micronutrient levels, especially phosphorus and zinc. This process enhances the bioavailability of these essential nutrients in bread wheat.
A new study has revealed that wheat plants actively influence the microbial communities living on and inside their roots, with certain microbes favored under dry conditions and others under irrigation. This dynamic relationship allows the plant to select its microbial partners, shaping its microbiome over time.
Researchers developed predictive models to estimate cadmium levels in wheat grain using soil characteristics, outperforming traditional methods. The study identified key drivers of metal uptake and introduced improved soil cadmium thresholds that better reflect food safety needs.
Traditional Asian wheat varieties harbor multiple genes conferring yellow rust resistance, a devastating disease threatening global bread wheat production. These findings highlight the importance of preserving genetic diversity and traditional farming practices to combat diseases and ensure food security.
Researchers have identified a key player in the development of Fusarium head blight, a devastating disease that severely damages wheat and barley crops worldwide. The discovery of FgTPP1 could lead to the development of genetically engineered disease-resistant grains.
The latest focus issue of Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions explores the molecular, cellular, and genomic details of cereal crop diseases, highlighting key research on plant-pathogen interactions. Groundbreaking work has advanced the field, offering new insights into disease resistance and management strategies.
Researchers have developed new seed varieties of wheat that remove harmful gluten proteins without affecting breadmaking quality. The modified wheat can reduce the risk of triggering celiac disease in people without the condition and improve flour quality.
Researchers have discovered a way to enhance wheat plants' sugar signalling ability, increasing yields by up to 12%. The new technology uses a Trehalose 6-phosphate pre-signalling molecule to activate the pathway for starch synthesis, leading to increased photosynthesis and grain filling.
Researchers found that fermented pearl millet flour can replace up to 20% of whole wheat flour without affecting consumer acceptance. The study also highlights the value of simple and natural food preparation techniques to improve nutrition and flavor.
Researchers uncover a novel immune mechanism by which wheat tandem kinase proteins (TKPs) combat pathogen invasion, establishing a new paradigm for cooperation between TKPs and NLR proteins. The discovery offers a foundation for engineering crop varieties with broad-spectrum pathogen resistance.
A new study published in Science reveals the first molecular events that give wheat immunity against stem rust, a major wheat disease. The findings provide insights into how to engineer wheat with stronger resistance against infection.
A novel ammonium adsorbent developed by the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science significantly reduces ammonia emissions from wheat fields. The application of the adsorbent, composed of humic acid-modified montmorillonite, offers a sustainable alternative to traditional deep nitrogen placement methods.
Professor Uauy brings extensive experience in wheat genetic research and genomics to lead the institute's ambition to deliver Healthy Plants, Healthy People, Healthy Planet. His vision for plant science will ensure global agricultural challenges are addressed through interdisciplinary science.
Climate change may lead to increased production of legumes such as chickpeas and soybeans, while oranges and okra become more widely grown. This could support shifts towards a more balanced diet and lower carbon footprint, but also poses economic and environmental risks.
Researchers at John Innes Centre have discovered a biological mechanism that enhances partnerships between plant roots and soil microbes, increasing nutrient uptake. This finding holds great potential for advancing sustainable agriculture by reducing the need for inorganic fertilizers.
Two MSU graduate students have published new research on managing the devastating wheat stem sawfly pest, with a focus on promoting parasitoid biocontrols and using remote sensing techniques to predict infestations. Their work aims to develop sustainable solutions for agricultural producers in Montana.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture's annual report highlights the challenges faced by Tennessee's farmers and foresters in 2024, including drought, agricultural land loss, and decreasing foreign market demand. The outlook for 2025 is clouded due to trade policy uncertainty, low crop prices, and high input costs.
Researchers found that new wheat cultivars achieve 16% higher yields under current climate conditions, but overall nitrogen needs will increase with global warming. The team recommends a systemic approach to food security, combining agricultural science, environmental aspects, and policy makers.
A study by the Open Wild Wheat Consortium explains how Aegilops tauschii, a wild grass, contributed to the genetic diversity of bread wheat, enabling its rapid spread across different climates. This hybridization event allowed humans to settle down and form societies.
A comprehensive set of genomic resources for Tausch's goatgrass has been established, shedding light on the evolutionary genetics of wheat. Researchers identified a stem rust resistance gene and a leaf rust resistance gene, which will aid in breeding more resilient wheat varieties.
Researchers study droughts, wildfires, and precipitation changes across the US Southeast and globally. The Great Salt Lake's drying exacerbates regional droughts, while a Maui wildfire is linked to atmospheric patterns.
A research team developed an innovative UAV-based method to quantify wheat uniformity, estimating leaf area index, SPAD, fractional vegetation cover, and plant height. The approach showed strong correlations between specific indices and yield and biomass predictions, outperforming models using mean values.
A new study reveals that whole wheat retains major minerals and trace minerals better than refined flour during milling and baking. The study also found that vitamin E levels dropped substantially with each processing step, regardless of the type of flour used.
Research reveals close relationship between midlife diet and healthy aging; Limiting ultra-processed foods may not improve diet quality. Baby-led weaning meets nutritional needs for healthy growth, while whole grains retain more nutrients during milling.
Researchers have discovered a new source of resistance to the devastating wheat blast disease, leveraging a gene that also protects against powdery mildew. The Pm4 gene, found in European wheat varieties, confers dual protection against the pathogen and its effector molecule AVR-Rmg8.
A decade-long study has discovered a vast untapped genetic potential in modern wheat varieties, revealing that at least 60% of the genetic diversity found in a historic collection is unused. This discovery provides an unprecedented opportunity to improve modern wheat and sustainably feed a growing global population. The study used a cr...
Researchers have identified a new type of resistance gene in plants called Ptr, which makes rice immune to certain strains of the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. This finding invalidates previous studies on another gene named Pi-ta and opens up new avenues for understanding natural resistance to disease.
Researchers have identified two transcription factors that can be edited to influence the number and arrangement of grain-bearing spikelets in wheat, potentially leading to increased yields. This discovery builds upon a traditional gene used to control wheat-flowering behavior, offering new avenues for improving crop productivity.
Researchers at Bielefeld University discovered that certain gluten-derived molecules, including the 33-mer deamidated gliadin peptide (DGP), form nanosized structures that accumulate in gut epithelial cells and lead to leaky gut syndrome. This triggers chronic inflammation and autoimmune responses in celiac disease patients.
Shifting excess nitrogen from rich countries to poor ones could increase crop production by 12%, with moderate/food insecure regions seeing significant gains in both fertilizer use and food output. Current levels of production could be maintained with only 53-68% of current nitrogen used through redistribution.