Articles tagged with Wheat
Researchers from the University of Bern found that maize roots secrete chemicals that improve soil quality and increase wheat yields. The study demonstrates potential for using specialized plant compounds to enhance crop productivity through variety-specific rotations.
A research group at Kyoto University has successfully developed a self-fertile buckwheat variety and a new type of the crop with a sticky texture. This breakthrough could contribute to the efficient breeding of less-common orphan crops, addressing the world's growing food demands.
Researchers at the University of Otago have found that gluten can cause brain inflammation in mice, a discovery that may have implications for human physiology. The study showed that gluten increased the number of immune cells in the brain, leading to hypothalamic inflammation.
A KAUST-led team has compiled the first complete genome map of einkorn, an ancient grain that could help develop bread wheat varieties with enhanced disease resistance and improved hardiness. The study reveals a complex evolutionary history of wheat species, including gene flow between einkorn and wild cousins.
Researchers sequenced einkorn wheat's genome, tracing its evolutionary history and identifying resilient properties that can be reintroduced into modern bread wheat. The study's findings provide insight into human migration and settlement, as well as potential solutions to protect the world's food supply.
Researchers have identified a new trichothecene, NX, produced by Fusarium graminearum, which contributes to the pathogen's ability to infect wheat and spread disease. Deleting the gene responsible for NX production reduces toxin levels and disease severity, providing potential control methods.
Researchers have developed a self-teaching web app called BRIDGEcereal that quickly and accurately analyzes genomic data for cereal crops, identifying patterns of DNA variations. This breakthrough tool is expected to revolutionize crop improvement by efficiently mining publicly accessible cereal pan-genomes.
A new study from Tufts University predicts a significant increase in extreme temperatures affecting wheat yields in the US and China. The research warns of potentially disastrous consequences for global food supplies if crops are impacted by heat stress, which can occur at temperatures above 27.8°C.
Researchers from the University of Arkansas found that organic sweetpotato growers can improve yields by selecting top-performing cultivars and using winter cover crops. The study also showed benefits for conventional production systems, as limited herbicides are available for weed management in sweetpotatoes.
A non-toxic method using wheat germ oil has been shown to reduce seed loss by up to 74 percent, even during mouse plagues. The technique works by camouflaging the seed odour, making it hard for mice to find food.
Researchers have cloned the wheat rust resistance genes Lr9 and Sr43, revealing that they encode unusual kinase fusion proteins. This breakthrough enables new options for addressing disease resistance in bread wheat and could lead to heat-resistant versions of the Sr43 gene to adapt to climate change.
Researchers have identified two novel DOF family transcription factors that enhance wheat regeneration and genetic transformation. These findings provide new insights into the transcriptional regulatory network involved in boosting wheat regeneration, offering opportunities for improving crop improvement.
Experts warn that fungal disease in crops could lead to unprecedented challenges in food production, causing losses equivalent to enough food for millions of people. The increasing prevalence of fungal infections is due to rising temperatures and the development of resistance to antifungals.
Researchers propose that 'lager yeast' S. pastorianus originated from a contamination event involving S. cerevisiae at the Duke's court brewery in Munich in 1602. The new findings suggest that lagers likely first emerged in Bavaria at least two hundred years earlier than previously thought.
A new AI method for leaf counting has been developed using deep learning techniques, which can count wheat leaves with high accuracy and speed. The method uses domain adaptation to improve the realism of images and can detect leaf tips even in challenging conditions.
A new study reveals that Indian farmers have adapted to climate change by changing management practices and using hardier crop varieties. However, the impact of climate change on crop yields varies across crops and regions, with some areas experiencing greater benefits than others.
A research team developed an AI approach to automate crop head counting, using synthetic annotated datasets to train deep learning models. The technique demonstrates improved accuracy and can be applied to other applications with dense repeating patterns.
Researchers found that TaMADS29 interacts with TaNF-YB1 to regulate early grain development in bread wheat. The complex helps prevent excessive ROS accumulation, promotes nutrient transport into the endosperm, and allows normal grain filling.
A recent study published in PLOS Biology identifies a global strain of emerging wheat disease fungus, highlighting the importance of genomic surveillance in tracking pathogen evolution and crop resistance. The research found that breeds of wheat carrying the Rmg8 gene are resistant to this fungal strain.
Scientists have identified specific genetic variants in wheat and barley that enable plants to adapt to nitrogen deficiency by increasing root growth and improving nitrogen content. These findings offer promising opportunities for plant breeding to develop varieties with enhanced nitrogen use efficiency.
Researchers teamed with Ethiopian farmers to develop new wheat varieties using genomic analysis. Farmers' knowledge played a crucial role in predicting crop yields and selecting optimal traits. The project aims to preserve agrobiodiversity and promote cultural heritage.
Researchers used demographic modeling to reconstruct wheat's evolutionary history during the Holocene, revealing its origins near the Caspian Sea and slow speciation process. The study also found that crop relatives are valuable for breeding resilient crops but face decline due to changes in human diets and climate change.
A University of Illinois project uses AI-powered object recognition to quantify kernel damage in wheat, enabling faster disease analysis and improved resistance. The technology has shown promising results, with potential for an online portal to automate scoring and support breeders in their efforts to eliminate fusarium head blight.
Researchers have uncovered the ancient roots of a gene in wheat that provides resistance to the devastating Wheat Yellow Mosaic Virus, which causes significant economic losses. The discovery could lead to more resistant wheat cultivars, increased crop yields, and reduced use of harmful fungicides.
Research by the University of the Basque Country found that gluten-free products often lack essential nutrients like fibre and protein. Gluten-free pasta, for example, is now made from millet instead of rice flour, improving nutrition.
Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have discovered a key to improving drought-resistant wheat plants by stimulating longer root growth. By increasing the copies of specific genes, plants can absorb water from deeper supplies, leading to increased biomass and higher grain yield.
Researchers used AgRenSeq genomic discovery method to identify two genes protecting experimental wheat plants against wheat blast. The study highlights the power of heritage wheat varieties and wild grass relatives in providing disease-fighting diversity.
Researchers from Purdue University have received funding from the Trask Innovation Fund to develop and test their innovations. The awards will support projects in various fields, including plant phenotyping, genome editing, and radiative cooling paints, aiming to enhance commercial value and industry applications.
Researchers study evolution of wheat spikes from ancient Mesopotamia to understand its adaptability to different environmental conditions. The study found that awned and awnless wheat varieties exist globally, with the latter dominating arid regions.
A study by researchers at the University of Göttingen investigated the effect of mixing wheat and faba beans on pollinating insects. They found that areas with mixed crops were visited equally often by foraging bees as those with single crops. The findings suggest that this mixture may counteract pollinator decline.
Researchers at the University of Reading are working on a £2 million project to increase UK-grown faba beans in bread, improving nutritional quality and sustainability. The 'Raising the Pulse' project aims to encourage farmers to switch wheat-producing land to faba bean for human consumption.
Researchers found that wheat lines with exotic DNA from wild relatives can achieve a 50% higher yield over elite lines under hot weather conditions. The study suggests incorporating heat tolerance traits into breeding programs to produce climate-resilient crops.
A new study found that nearly half of wheat crops in Europe are contaminated with harmful fungal toxins, including DON, which can cause vomiting and other gastrointestinal problems. The researchers estimate that 75-million tonnes of wheat exceeded the limit allowed for human consumption between 2010 and 2019, resulting in a loss of aro...
A recent study reveals that the SD6/ICE2 molecular module regulates seed dormancy in rice, controlling abscisic acid homeostasis. By editing this gene, researchers improved pre-harvest sprouting resistance in both rice and wheat, offering a promising strategy for improving crop yields.
A simple breeding experiment identified genes that promote cooperation and higher yields in plant populations. Plants with specific alleles were found to produce 15% more biomass when grown in close proximity, while reducing root competition.
Researchers have discovered a new height-reducing gene, Rht13, which enables reduced-height wheat varieties to be planted deeper in dry conditions without seedling emergence issues. This breakthrough could lead to more climate-resilient wheat and improved yields.
In northern China, about 4,000 years ago, farmers adopted a practice of purposeful water management to grow new grains. The results showed that the majority of wheat samples had isotopic values above an optimal watering threshold, indicating their growth was not limited by water availability.
The study focuses on reducing insects and pathogens that threaten crops, with manure serving as a potential solution. Researchers will investigate the most effective ways to apply manure to improve soil health and plant resistance to insect pests.
Researchers warn that UK wheat yields are vulnerable to increasingly frequent extreme weather events due to climate change. The study found that while warmer temperatures can benefit yields, multiple extreme weather events can lead to significant negative impacts on production.
A recent study investigated the effects of climate change on wheat yields in North America, revealing that new and old varieties respond differently to rising temperatures. The research found a declining rate of improvement in both winter and spring wheat yields with increased warming.
Researchers discovered a new genetic variation in old wheat varieties that enhances yield potential and resistance to yellow rust, potentially replacing current elite varieties. The findings also reveal possible new gene variants for resistance to yellow rust infestation, paving the way for more sustainable farming practices.
Researchers decode Sr35 wheat protein's structure and function, revealing its role in protecting Einkorn wheat from Ug99. The discovery provides a crucial tool for improving crop resistance and ensuring global food security.
The University of Exeter team identified a 'master regulator' that controls the formation of invasive hyphae in the fungus Zymoseptoria tritici. This discovery provides a crucial target for developing new control strategies against Septoria tritici blotch, a destructive fungal disease affecting wheat yields worldwide.
Indiana University's Roger Innes leads a $1.2 million research grant project to create Fusarium Head Blight-resistant wheat and barley using genome editing techniques. The goal is to reduce dependence on environmentally damaging pesticides and increase crop yields.
Wheat yields are projected to alter unevenly due to climate change, leading to price spikes in Global South and exacerbating existing inequalities. Global warming could deepen trade positions, causing more frequent and steep wheat price spikes in low-latitude regions.
A recent study estimates that climate change will lead to higher global wheat prices and increased economic inequality between exporting and importing countries. The researchers used a novel climate-wheat-economic ensemble modelling approach to analyze the impact of a 2℃ warmer world on global wheat supply and demand.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University have discovered two defense methods in wild emmer wheat that can protect cultivated wheat from insects. The wheat produces a poison called benzoxazinoid and has a coating of 'hairs' that prevent insects from burrowing, allowing for improved pest resistance
Researchers, led by TUM's Senthold Asseng, are exploring ways to close the genetic yield gap of 51% in wheat to meet increasing global demand. Utilizing advanced breeding techniques and interdisciplinary approaches combining genetics, soil, and climate science can lead to richer harvests.
Researchers found that adjusting sowing dates for wheat in eastern India can increase production by 69% while maintaining rice productivity. The study provides new recommendations for rice sowing dates and cultivar types to accommodate earlier wheat planting.
A research team uncovered the secret of powdery mildew's success by comparing genetic compositions of 172 strains from 13 countries on five continents. The pathogen was introduced to new regions through human migration and trade, undergoing hybridization with local species to form better-adapted hybrids.
Scientists have identified a key gene that can improve wheat grain yield by increasing the number of spikelets per spike. The discovery provides a promising solution to address the food security crisis and could lead to significant improvements in wheat yields.
A recent study by Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University provides a method to help farmers and policymakers decide whether organic farming is beneficial for the environment. The researchers analyzed international studies to find a threshold where organic farming's biodiversity gain outweighs its land requirements.
A recent letter to Science warns that a drastic reduction of Swedish wolf population could exacerbate inbreeding and genetic erosion. The authors advocate for increasing population size and securing connectivity with neighboring populations to improve conservation.
A new study published in Nature Food finds that ploughing and tilling soil on slopes is causing farm soils to thin, threatening future crop yields. The researchers predict significant declines in wheat and maize yields over the next 50 years if farmers continue to till hill slopes.
A new study highlights how global wheat trade affects food security, showing that a disruption in a few key countries can have far-reaching impacts. The research emphasizes the need for regionalized food systems to counter shortfalls and perturbations in the larger globalized food system.
A new wiring diagram illustrates complex interactions between wheat traits to inform breeding decisions and future research. The tool shows connections among traits that may not have been apparent, serving as a decision support tool for crop scientists.
A recent study reveals that climate change has driven shifts in European grain production, with Eastern Europe taking on a greater role. The shift is attributed to technological advancements and global climate change, which have increased crop yields in the region.
The oat genome has been fully sequenced, revealing key genes responsible for its health-promoting properties, including beta-glucans that reduce cholesterol and alleviate metabolic diseases. This breakthrough enables targeted breeding for more nutritious and sustainable oats.
A team of international researchers has identified a genetic driver that improves yield traits in wheat while increasing protein content by up to 25 per cent. This discovery has the potential to generate new wheat varieties with higher quality grain.
Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) have identified a stem rust resistance gene in Aegilops sharonensis and transferred it to common wheat. The new transgenic wheat lines show high levels of resistance to the stem rust pathogen, providing hope for mitigating the devastating effects of climate change.