Articles tagged with Wheat
Researchers have discovered that wheat and couch grass can accumulate high concentrations of toxic metals from contaminated soils, removing them and making the soil safer. The plants' ability to phytoextract toxic metals makes them promising candidates for effective cleaning of soils using phytoremediation.
Simulated vertical farming yields revealed a significant increase in grain production, with potential of 700-1940 t/ha per year, compared to the current world average annual yield. This innovative method also reduces land area, water consumption, and environmental pollution.
A new study has successfully demonstrated a method for site-directed mutagenesis in wheat using haploid induction by maize. The technique resulted in the identification of 15 independent target gene-specific mutants in six different wheat backgrounds, with mutations found in all three genomic target motifs.
Researchers used alien substitution lines to pinpoint chromosomal region 5A as key player in wheat's natural tolerance to synthetic auxin herbicides. They found minimal injury in some plant lines due to their ability to naturally detoxify the chemical, while others were highly sensitive to high rates of the herbicide.
Researchers applied zinc foliar application to hard red spring wheat cultivars, increasing grain zinc concentration above the target level of 40 mg kg-1. The second application at flowering stage was necessary for this achievement, and price incentives are needed to motivate farmers to adopt biofortification.
Researchers at the University of Córdoba have identified 10 genetically improved wheat genotypes that can tolerate high temperatures better than others. These varieties, recently developed through genetic improvement programs, demonstrated their effectiveness in maintaining productivity under heat-stress conditions.
UC Riverside scientists have solved a 20-year-old genetics puzzle, differentiating three particles of Brome Mosaic virus. The discovery could lead to ways to protect wheat, barley, and other crops from the virus.
Researchers from Lancaster University have successfully modified a molecular building block in wheat to activate Rubisco faster in hotter temperatures. This breakthrough could help protect crops from rising temperatures and improve global food security.
Researchers at Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University have found a way to increase wheat immunity by stimulating the biosynthesis of secondary compounds. This breakthrough could lead to the development of pre-sowing treatments that enhance plant resistance to environmental stresses.
Researchers found that a uniform grid-like pattern of crop sowing leads to higher yields (76% of trials) and fewer weeds (73% of trials). This approach can reduce herbicide use and fertiliser runoff, resulting in more sustainable agriculture.
Researchers at Edith Cowan University have developed a way to detect and quantify wheat proteins that trigger intestinal inflammation and chronic ailments. This breakthrough has resulted in a reference map of wheat proteins across diverse varieties and an innovative technique to measure specific proteins.
Breeding methodologies can increase fructan levels in winter wheat cultivars without reducing genetic diversity. Researchers successfully developed wheat cultivars with increased fructan levels using recurrent genomic selection, providing a proof-of-concept for improving nutritionally enhanced crops.
A study published in Evolution Letters found that dog breeds do not exhibit the expected correlation between their physical traits and behavior, contradicting earlier hypotheses. This challenges our understanding of the domestication process and highlights the need to distinguish between domestication traits and improvement traits.
A research team has identified reliable reference genes for studying wheat meiosis, enabling precise measurements of gene expression. The discovery will aid future genetic improvement efforts, potentially allowing for manipulation of chromosome associations and integration of genes from other species.
Researchers at Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University have developed a method for creating vegetable protein non-cholesterol products containing essential amino acids. By optimizing the extrusion process, they improved the texture and taste of meat analogs, making them more comparable to real meat.
A newly developed wheat variety contains higher levels of fructans, a naturally occurring carbohydrate that can promote healthy gut bacteria. The breeders used genomic selection to reduce the development time and cost of creating such a high-fructan wheat variety.
Researchers have identified a gene that can help combat Fusarium Head Blight (FHB), a major threat to wheat crops worldwide. The discovery sheds light on molecular mechanisms making wheat resistant to the pathogen and paves the way for new varieties with improved FHB resistance.
Researchers have identified a gene from a wild wheatgrass relative that confers resistance to fusarium head blight in wheat. The Fhb7 gene, likely transferred from a fungus, detoxifies mycotoxins produced by Fusarium fungi and promotes broad resistance without affecting yield.
A second Dust Bowl would severely impact global wheat stocks, with a 31% initial loss and up to 75% depletion by the end of four years. Global trade and supply chains would be affected, leading to price increases for consumers worldwide.
A research team at the Chinese Academy of Sciences has optimized a prime editing system to create desired point mutations, insertions, and deletions in rice and wheat. The system, called PPE, has achieved efficiencies up to 19.2% with various types of mutations.
A new study from University of Illinois found that China's tariff quota administration significantly affected US grain exports, particularly for wheat. Wheat imports from the US could have been $324 million or 83% higher without restrictive policies.
Research reveals that domesticated wheat originated from the interbreeding of wild emmer wheat with cultivated varieties in southeast Turkey. This process occurred around 9,500 years ago, contradicting earlier theories of a single origin point.
Researchers observe wolf puppies retrieving balls and responding to social cues from unfamiliar humans in a surprising display of cognitive abilities. This finding suggests that ancestral variation may have contributed to human-directed play behavior in dogs.
Researchers explore drone technology to improve fruit tree management, enhancing crop yields and sustainability. Drones equipped with sensors provide high-resolution images and spectral data to monitor tree health, water and nutrient status, and estimate biomass production.
Researchers found that a popular modern variety of wheat does not impair gastrointestinal health in mice compared to heirloom wheat. Heirloom wheat slightly reduced levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-17 and improved gut barrier function, suggesting that modern wheat varieties may be healthier for healthy individuals.
A study by HHU and the University of Hohenheim found that modern wheat varieties produce equally good-tasting breads as older varieties. The research team used molecular biology methods to predict bread quality, revealing soil type and nutrient content also influence taste.
A study by IIASA researchers found that the risk of simultaneous breadbasket failures due to climatic extremes has increased over time, with potential consequences for food price spikes and famine. The analysis suggests a need for more efficient allocation of resources to contingency plans and strategic crop reserves.
Researchers analyzed the genome of Ug99 and found that it emerged as a result of somatic hybridization between two different rust strains, creating a unique hybrid with increased virulence. This discovery provides new insights into how Ug99 was able to threaten wheat crops across the world.
A new study found that planting wheat at commercially recommended density can reduce weed biomass and seed production by up to 78% and 50%, respectively. This approach also causes weeds to grow more upright, making them easier to capture during harvesting.
A Colorado State University study found that crops irrigated with oil and gas wastewater have weakened immune systems, making them more vulnerable to bacterial and fungal pathogens. The study's authors suggest assessing plant immune response impacts before reusing treated wastewater for agricultural irrigation.
A study by University of Leeds researchers found that introducing fungi to wheat can boost nutrient uptake and potentially lead to new, climate-resilient crop varieties. The partnership between wheat and soil fungi could help reduce the use of fertilizers, a major contributor to global carbon emissions.
A new portable DNA sequencer has been developed to rapidly diagnose wheat viruses with high accuracy. The technology has been tested on four wheat samples from western Kansas and detected three different viruses, including a new strain. This breakthrough has broad applications for plant disease identification and field diagnostics.
Researchers conducted a 'Photosynthesis Olympics' study to identify the most efficient wheat varieties, finding that top performers were up to 90% better than worst ones due to genetic differences. The results have significant implications for breeders and farmers, offering potential for improved yields with reduced inputs.
A recent study published in Nature Genetics explores the potential of genomic selection to boost wheat yields and quality. By analyzing genomic data from diverse environments, researchers found that this approach can predict disease resistance, grain quality, and climate resilience with varying degrees of accuracy. The findings provide...
Wheat aphid populations and their natural enemies were studied in four agro-ecological zones of Pakistan. The study found no correlation between aphid populations and their predators, but highlighted the importance of understanding where aphids will infest to effectively manage biocontrol agents.
Researchers have identified the gene Xanthophyll acyl-transferase (Xat) as the key to lutein esterification in bread wheat. This process increases carotenoid stability and retention during storage, maintaining nutritional quality. The discovery opens new opportunities for improving cereal nutrition and addressing carotenoid degradation.
A new study warns that up to 60% of current wheat-growing areas could experience severe and prolonged droughts by the end of the century due to climate change. This would have a significant impact on global food production and lead to increased food prices.
Scientists Zach Lippman and Yuval Eshed review past agricultural revolutions, highlighting key genetic mutations and modifications. They propose using CRISPR gene editing to introduce new variations in core hormonal systems, potentially boosting crop productivity and adaptability.
A team of MSU researchers has discovered a previously unidentified microbe, Spiroplasma sp. WSS, that lives symbiotically with the wheat stem sawfly. The discovery was made using genomic material from sawflies collected at larval and adult stages, and found to help sawflies break down sugars and manufacture nutrients.
A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that a significant proportion of Mexican women of childbearing age have inadequate folate intake. The study suggests that fortification of staple foods with folic acid has improved overall folate intake, but still leaves vulnerable populations at risk.
A new DNA sequencing method can detect early-stage wheat diseases with high accuracy, addressing the limitations of traditional methods. This portable technology can also identify unknown pathogens and diagnose unexpected diseases, saving time and money in agricultural biosecurity monitoring.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham found that fortifying wheat flour with vitamin D alone would save the public purse £65 million by reducing healthcare demands. Combining this with targeted supplementation could prevent 33% of cases, particularly among vulnerable groups.
A new study in Science shows that alternative farming practices can boost farmers' profits while reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The Happy Seeder system, which allows for direct seeding of wheat into unplowed soil and shredded rice residues, is a promising solution.
Wheat yields may increase with rising CO2 levels, but at the cost of reduced nutritional quality. Researchers found a 104% higher yield under elevated CO2 conditions, accompanied by declines in nitrogen and protein content.
Researchers have discovered that pea gin can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and fossil energy consumption. By using peas instead of wheat grain, distilleries can produce carbon-neutral gins with minimal environmental impact.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have discovered how plants create networks of air channels to transport carbon dioxide, revealing a major step forward in understanding leaf structure and function. The study also shows that humans have bred wheat plants with fewer pores on their leaves, making them more water-efficient.
Researchers discovered that wheat plants' sneezing off condensation can spread spore-borne diseases like wheat leaf rust, causing crop yield losses up to 20%. Condensation droplets can carry spores and jump high distances, potentially spreading disease across entire crops.
Biofortification, a process of developing micronutrient-dense staple crops through breeding and biotechnology, is being used to address global nutrition issues. Provitamin A-biofortified maize has been shown to be an effective source of vitamin A, while zinc-biofortified wheat varieties have reduced pneumonia and vomiting rates in youn...
A new study debunks the myth that intensive breeding has made modern wheat cultivars weaker. Modern wheat varieties actually out-perform older ones in both optimal and sub-optimum growing conditions. This finding could have significant implications for raising productivity in organic cropping systems.
Researchers aim to develop crops more resilient to climate change and emerging pathogens through microbial interactions. The Collaborative Crop Resilience Program will focus on three projects: Matrix, Interact, and InRoot, which examine plant-microbial interactions above ground and below ground, as well as the development of new crop v...
A study reveals that pastoralists in ancient Eurasia adopted agricultural products through trade and social networks, driving changes in dietary dynamics. The shift occurred around the transition to the Iron Age, coinciding with the expansion of trans-regional networks and complex political structures.
Research at Earlham Institute reveals that plant clocks oscillate faster as plants age, with wheat exhibiting more rapid oscillations under constant darkness. The study uses delayed fluorescence to measure daily patterns in crops, enabling breeders to select optimal clock rhythms for improved yields.
A new University of Illinois study shows that resistance to Fusarium head blight is holding strong in the state's wheat-growing region, with no signs of a highly toxic NA2 variant found. The study uses field pathogenomics to identify the types of FHB on wheat of different resistance levels.
A new study published in Agricultural and Forest Meteorology successfully predicts Australian wheat yield two months before the crop matures using a combination of climate and satellite data. The researchers achieved an accuracy rate of approximately 75% in their predictions, outperforming traditional statistical methods.
A global study of 487 wheat genotypes has mapped the ancestry and genetic diversity of bread wheat, revealing a rich pool of genetic variation that can be used to improve crop resilience. The findings highlight the need for continuous breeding efforts to adapt wheat to changing climates.
A CABI-led project has helped China reduce its reliance on harmful pesticides by developing cutting-edge data and models to predict crop pest spread and severity. The £1.6m STFC Newton Agri-Tech Fund-financed project has left a lasting legacy in promoting sustainable controls and biopesticide use.
Researchers reconstructed wheat breeding history through genetic analysis, linking its evolution to human migration patterns, geopolitical events, and climate change. This knowledge will help optimize modern wheat varieties for improved yield and adaptability in a growing world population.
A University of Sussex mathematician has developed a chemical-free way to target parasitic nematode worms that destroy wheat crops. The breakthrough method uses biostimulants derived from naturally occurring soil bacteria to precisely kill the nematodes without harming other insects.
Researchers at the University of Bath have discovered that targeting fungal G-protein coupled receptors could be key to controlling Fusarium head blight, a devastating disease that affects wheat crops worldwide. By studying these receptors, scientists hope to develop new approaches to control the disease and reduce crop losses.
Researchers identified a helicase gene, ReqQ, involved in gene conversion and crossover frequency, the first of its kind in plants. This breakthrough may help breeders break up linked regions, increasing desirable genes without sacrificing vital plant functions.