Wheat stabilising gene discovery could allow development of heat-resistant varieties

[muriel_volestrangler]

(I've toned down the rather sensationalist Observer headline "‘Holy grail’ wheat gene discovery could feed our overheated world" - it's early days yet, but this is still interesting)

But the crisis could be averted thanks to a remarkable project now being undertaken by researchers at the John Innes Centre in Norwich. They are working on a project to make wheat more resistant to heat and drought. Such efforts have proved to be extremely tricky but are set to be the subject of a new set of trials in a few weeks as part of a project in which varieties of wheat – created, in part, by gene-editing technology – will be planted in field trials in Spain.
...
This complexity has had important consequences. In order to control their differing genes and chromosomes, wheat has acquired a stabilising gene that segregates the different chromosomes in its various genomes. This has ensured these forms of wheat have high yields. However, the gene also suppresses any exchange of chromosomes with wild relatives of wheat, frustrating the efforts of geneticists trying to make new varieties with beneficial properties.

“Wild relatives have really useful characteristics – disease resistance, salt tolerance, protection against heat – attributes that you want to add to make wheat more robust and easy to grow in harsh conditions. But you couldn’t do that because this gene stopped these attributes from being assimilated.”
...
It has taken several decades but scientists at the John Innes Centre have now succeeded in their hunt for their holy grail. They identified the key gene, labelled it Zip4.5B and have created a mutant version of it, one that allows the gene to carry out its main function – to allow wheat chromosomes to pair correctly and maintain yields – but which lacks its ability to block the creation of new variants with attributes from wild grasses.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/07/holy-grail-wheat-gene-discovery-could-feed-our-overheated-world

[Ferrets are Cool]

1. And Monsanto will sell it to impoverished countries, then raise the prices and not allow them to

plant any other variety. Yes, I am a cynic when it comes to gene manipulation.

[NickB79]

3. Nature is what won't allow them to plant other varieties eventually

It's either hybrid wheat, or nothing at all, in a 2C world.

[progressoid]

2. Cool.

[Judi Lynn]

4. Maybe someone meant to write "holy grain." 🌾

[NNadir]

5. Greenpeace will step in to claim starvation is "green."

They've already done as much in claiming childhood blindness is "green."