Articles tagged with Wheat
A study found that increasing crop diversity in agricultural landscapes reduces aphid populations and decreases the need for pesticides. This is because natural enemies of aphids, such as ladybirds and spiders, have better living conditions in diverse landscapes.
Archaeological evidence from P?narba?? and Boncuklu in Turkey suggests indigenous people adopted agriculture on a small scale, possibly for non-economic reasons. The findings indicate the spread of agriculture was not uniform throughout central Anatolia.
Scientists have isolated a natural resistance gene, Stb6, that confers protection against Septoria tritici blotch (STB), a major threat to wheat production. The discovery holds promise for deciphering other resistance genes and developing a natural barrier to infection.
A new study has reported the first case of stem rust in wheat in the UK in over 60 years, warning of a perfect storm of conditions favourable to its resurgence. The fungus is susceptible to over 80% of UK wheat varieties, and its spread could be exacerbated by climate change and Barberry planting.
Researchers have developed a fast gluten detector that can detect and quantify different sources of gluten than current tests, providing more accurate results. The new test is faster, taking only 45 minutes, and can sense less than 20 parts per million of gluten, meeting the FDA's limit for 'gluten-free' designation.
A new computer model developed by EPFL scientist Edgard Gnansounou can quantify the emissions of each product coming out of biorefineries, providing a more accurate assessment of biofuels' environmental impact. This could help policymakers set clear incentives for biorefineries to become economically viable.
The speed breeding platform enables rapid generation of wheat and other crops, increasing generations per year by threefold. This technology uses LED lights to create intensive growth regimes, reducing costs and heat, and has the potential to rank alongside the Green Revolution.
A team of researchers has identified the first rust virulence molecule that triggers built-in wheat resistance, allowing plants to fend off devastating stem rust disease. This breakthrough could help prioritize resistance genes and inform fungicide use in high-yielding wheat varieties.
A team of experts has identified a gene that triggers resistance in wheat to the devastating fungal pathogen Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt). The breakthrough allows for DNA testing to identify whether a rust strain can overcome a resistance gene, enabling targeted treatment and reducing crop devastation.
Researchers have gained crucial gene-level insights into an age-old evolutionary arms race between wheat and stem rust disease, a devastating fungal pathogen. The studies identified key peptides released by the fungus that can evade plant immune systems, potentially allowing for more effective DNA testing to identify resistant crops.
Researchers have isolated the first rust pathogen gene that wheat plants detect to 'switch on' resistance, allowing for faster DNA testing and prioritizing resistance genes. The breakthrough could save crops from being destroyed by devastating diseases, threatening food security globally.
Cristobal Uauy, a world-leading wheat scientist, has been awarded the prestigious Research Medal by The Royal Agricultural Society of England. His work in developing genomic techniques and sharing them with the international community has led to significant benefits for wheat breeders and researchers.
A recent simulation study by Texas A&M AgriLife Research team found that winter wheat is a viable cover crop option for Rolling Plains cotton production. The study showed no significant impact of winter wheat on soil moisture and yield in both irrigated and dryland systems.
Researchers analyzed wheat microbiome under conventional, no-till, organic, and reduced chemical inputs management strategies, finding strong effects on microbial communities by wheat plant organ and age. The study provides foundational data for generating synthetic microbiomes to improve crop yields and disease resistance.
Researchers used two gene technologies to assemble the most complete genome sequence of Triticum aestivum, the most common cultivated species of wheat. The achievement may help biologists better understand the evolutionary history of wheat and advance the quest for hardier, pest- and drought-resistant varieties.
New research from Washington University in St. Louis suggests ancient barley took a southern route to China, adapting to seasonal challenges along the way. The study, published in PLOS One, analyzed radiocarbon data and DNA evidence from ancient grains in China, India, Kyrgyzstan, and Pakistan.
Researchers at UC Davis identified a gene that enables resistance to Ug99, a devastating strain of stem rust threatening global food security. Breeders can use molecular markers to select for the genes and develop varieties with multiple resistance levels.
The genome of a wild ancestor of bread wheat, Aegilops tauschii, has been sequenced by an international team of scientists. The findings will enable researchers to discover new genes improving wheat quality and resistance to diseases. This breakthrough technology can be applied to other plant genomes.
Researchers have identified genetic markers for greenbug and Hessian fly resistance in wheat, providing a new tool for breeders to combat these pests. The discovery enables the efficient transfer of resistant genes into new wheat lines using marker-assisted selection.
A new study proposes swapping crop distributions on existing farmland to meet growing food demand and reduce water stress, resulting in a 10% increase in calorie production and 19% more protein. The proposed changes would generate substantial water savings for 42 countries, including Australia, India, and South Africa.
Researchers at the University of Queensland have identified genes that control a cell protein holding wheat grain layers together, leading to improved milling efficiency and nutritional profiles. This breakthrough could increase flour yield by up to 10% and unlock new high-yielding field wheats.
Scientists in Brazil and Denmark found that adding enzymes to cassava flour can improve its baking properties, making it suitable for bread production. The study showed that cassava flour could replace between 20-30% of wheat flour without significantly altering the sensory characteristics or leavening process.
Australian researchers have identified a gene that allows for cross-pollination in wheat, enabling the production of high-yielding hybrid wheats. This breakthrough could help meet the increased food demand predicted by 2050 and improve yield stability in challenging growing regions.
A team of scientists has developed a modelling system to predict the spread of devastating wheat rust disease, identifying Yemen as a potential hub for long-distance dispersal to India and Pakistan. The research highlights the risk of global economic loss from wheat stem rust, currently estimated at $1 billion annually.
Researchers at Lancaster University discovered that wheat crops experience a delay in photosynthesis when transitioning from shade to sunlight, resulting in a loss of up to 21% productivity. The study suggests that breeding varieties with faster adjustment times could lead to increased yields without requiring more water or nutrients.
Researchers found that plants growing in dry climates have higher concentrations of leaf wax, a natural protective barrier. The team bred winter wheat cultivars with increased wax production, which enabled them to tolerate drought and produce high yields.
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health finds that rising CO2 levels may lead to a decline in the nutritional value of staple crops, increasing the risk of dietary deficiencies among vulnerable populations. The study estimates that up to 150 million people may be at risk of protein deficiency due to elevated CO2 levels.
A team of archaeologists discovered lipid-based biomarkers for whole wheat in a frozen Bronze Age container, providing new insights into the spread and exploitation of cereal grains. The finding has significant implications for studying early farming practices in Eurasia.
A Cornell-led project has identified modern, ancient, and heritage wheat varieties best suited for organic growing in the Northeastern and north-central climates. The results show that these varieties are in high demand, with consumers willing to pay more for bread, pasta, and baked goods made from them.
A global study has identified the evolutionary steps leading to the spread of the wheat blast fungus, a pathogen causing significant yield losses in Asia and South America. The fungus emerged through host jumps from a weed pathogen and its distribution was initially restricted to South America before re-emerging on the Eurasian continent.
Researchers developed a method to extract traditional knowledge from smallholder farmers and use it for genomic-driven breeding, identifying genes responsible for farmers' preferred wheat varieties. This approach yields genomic targets useful for wheat breeding for local agriculture.
Researchers have solved the equation describing solid friction on granular materials for an arbitrary number of dimensions. Their results are in excellent agreement with numerical solutions in 2 and 3 dimensions, making the model applicable to various industries such as construction and pharmaceuticals.
A team of international researchers, including those from Kansas State University, successfully decoded the genetic code of wild emmer, a wild ancestor of wheat. This allows for comparisons with modern wheat varieties to be made, potentially leading to improvements in traits such as drought tolerance and disease resistance.
The study reveals genes controlling key traits in wheat domestication and identifies novel variation to improve grain quality and drought tolerance. Researchers have created a 'time tunnel' to examine wheat from its wild origins, enabling the identification of genes involved in domestication.
A UK plant pathologist has uncovered an important genetic link to the devastating wheat blast fungus. The research found that a mutation in a key gene allows the fungus to escape wheat resistance, compromising crop yields and sparking global efforts to breed blast-resistant wheat.
Researchers identified a gene in wheat that protects against a deadly fungus, which was lost from many wheat crops in the 1980s. Restoring this gene could limit impacts of the fungal pathogen.
Researchers used 3-D genetic sequencing data to study the evolution of wheat from wild tetraploid wheat (Triticum turgidum) to domesticated wheat. They found two gene clusters that lost their function, leading to changes in spike morphology and grain development.
A new study reveals that heat stress concurrent with drought or water excess can explain about 40% of the changes in wheat yields from one year to another. Water excess affects wheat production more than drought in several countries, contributing to reduced yields due to increased pests and diseases.
Researchers calculate that compound climate extremes, such as heatwaves and droughts, are more frequent than expected. This can lead to increased health risks, agricultural losses, and economic threats due to the interconnectedness of modern societies.
Researchers have found that wheat middlings and red dog, two coproducts of the wheat milling process, have varying levels of protein digestibility when fed to pigs. The study suggests that red dog contains more easily digested amino acids due to its lower fiber content.
A recent study found that different people react differently to white and whole wheat bread, with half responding better to processed flour and the other half to sourdough. The researchers developed an algorithm to predict individual responses, pointing towards a new paradigm in nutrition based on personal microbiomes.
A recent study suggests that fructans in wheat plants hold the key to developing climate-resilient varieties with increased nutritional value. The authors propose using fructans as a breeding target to create healthier and more resilient wheat varieties.
Global weather events, particularly droughts, significantly impact wheat prices, research suggests. Trade policies, including hoarding and export bans, can exacerbate these effects.
Scientists have created the most accurate navigation system for the bread wheat genome, allowing researchers to analyze its genes more easily than ever before. The system includes detailed annotation of over 100,000 wheat genes, revealing previously hidden genes and improving crop yields.
A team of researchers identified a protein called NILR1 in thale cress that helps plants sense and defend against parasitic worms. The discovery could lead to the development of crop plants with enhanced protection against nematodes.
Moderate shifts in typical Indian diets could reduce groundwater use and benefit population health. The study identifies possible changes to consume more fruits and vegetables with lower water demands, such as oranges and apples.
Scientists developed a unique type of wheat that can increase the digestibility of phosphorus and other minerals, improving health for undernourished populations. The new wheat, HIGHPHY, was tested in broilers and demonstrated improved digestion coefficients for calcium and phosphorus.
A common wheat virus can spread and harm perennial native grasses like switchgrass, reducing its vitality by 30%. This finding highlights the need for farmers and scientists to consider protecting native plants from diseases emanating from crops.
A vast collection of genetically modified wheat seeds with over 10 million sequenced mutations has been developed to aid in the study and improvement of wheat plants. This new resource is freely available to researchers and breeders worldwide, enabling them to develop crops with enhanced nutritional value, yields, and climate resilience.
Researchers at Washington State University have created a perennial grain species, Salish Blue, which combines wheat and wheatgrass. This new crop has the potential to improve soil health, reduce waste, and provide sustainable food options for the Pacific Northwest.
Researchers at the Earlham Institute have developed a new method for improving wheat crop yield quality using bioinformatics tools. The w2rap pipeline enables robust and efficient genome assembly, which will aid in precision breeding and increase global food security.
A multi-state project will establish a nationally coordinated consortium to increase wheat yields through genetic advancements and breeding programs. Wheat geneticist Dr. Shuyu Liu and breeders Dr. Amir Ibrahim and Dr. Jackie Rudd will contribute to the major effort to improve wheat yields dramatically over the next decade.
The project aims to increase hybrid wheat yield potential by 15-20 percent, making it climate resilient and attractive to producers. The team will develop tools and germplasm for efficient hybrid seed production and create hybrids to establish and confirm heterotic pools in wheat.
The USDA has awarded $3.4 million to seven research projects aimed at developing new wheat varieties with improved yield and adaptability to different regions. These grants will support international collaboration on wheat research and help meet growing demand for wheat worldwide.
A new study analysing toxic components of various wheat varieties reveals that even ancient types can be toxic through specific epitopes. The research identifies potential breeding techniques to develop non-toxic wheat-based products suitable for coeliac patients, aiming to improve their quality of life.
Researchers discovered evidence of cereal domestication at Tell Qarassa North archaeological site, revealing advanced farming communities and varying domestication rates across regions. The study provides crucial insights into the origins of agriculture and its impact on human societies.
A study by Aarhus University scientists uses three independent climate modeling methods to demonstrate that wheat yield will decline with global temperature increases. The models project a 5.7% decline in global wheat production for each 1°C temperature rise, with warmer regions expected to suffer the most.
A recent study published in Crop Science journal has found enhanced wheat curl mite control in genes, leading to the development of a new screening protocol. The research team identified the genetic markers responsible for resistance to the wheat curl mite and its associated diseases, such as wheat streak mosaic virus.
Researchers at Oregon State University found that collecting DNA from residual saliva on partially consumed salmon provides a more effective and efficient way to study brown bears. This method allows for accurate individual identification and can be adapted for other species, improving wildlife population monitoring.
Scientists at the John Innes Centre have developed a new MutChromSeq technique that reduces the complexity of searching for specific genes in wheat and barley genomes. This method uses chromosome flow sorting to narrow down the search area, making it faster and cheaper to sequence just one chromosome.