Biotech Updates

Imaging Cereals for Increased Crop Yields

June 24, 2011

An image-based technology is being developed by computer scientists of the University of Adelaide to boost the breeding of improved cereal crops that can adapt harsher environmental conditions under the changing climate.

Professor Anton van den Hengel, leads the computer scientists, plant physiologists and an industry partner in the development of the technology that hopes to accurately estimate plant yield of new cereal varieties before grain production. "We are using image analysis to understand the shape of plants so that we can automatically and rapidly measure plant structural properties and how they change over time," said Professor van den Hengel.

He added that "by expediting the development of plant varieties capable of delivering increased yield under harsh environmental conditions, this project will help improve Australia's agricultural efficiency and competitiveness. It will help Australian agriculture prepare for the impact of climate change and the need to produce more food for a growing population."

The original article can be viewed at http://www.adelaide.edu.au/news/news46342.html