UI researcher makes discovery that could help boost wheat yields
In Oregon, Capital Press reported that University of Idaho scientists discovered a naturally occurring genetic mutation in wheat associated with increased yield.
UI College of Agricultural and Life Sciences researchers, led by wheat breeder Jianli Chen, screened germplasm — or collections of genetic material, including a panel of spring wheat varieties developed by Pacific Northwest breeders — for the mutation associated with plant flowering and increased yield, according to the report.
The researchers confirmed the mutation in several high-yielding lines including hard white spring variety UI Gold, which Chen’s program released in 2022, and several new experimental lines. The mutation is associated with a 5-10% yield increase.
“Because we found this gene mutation and developed molecular markers, we can screen lines for it,” said Chen, based at the UI Aberdeen Research and Extension Center. “I think this marker will be implemented by a lot of breeding programs.”
A five-year, $15 million grant from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture funded the research. Led by the University of California, Davis, the project brought together researchers from 22 institutions.
Category: Food & Agriculture
