UWA Crop Root Study to Boost Grain Production
May 11, 2012| |
According to researchers from The University of Western Australia (UWA), understanding the root system and function of crop plants is the "next frontier" to increase Australia's grain production, keep farms viable, and help continue to feed the world despite the onset of increasing drought and climate change.
The research team was led by UWA-based Chief Investigators Winthrop Professor Zed Rengel and Winthrop Professor Kadambot Siddique. One of their projects involves experimenting with lupin roots to improve the water use and nutrient uptake of narrow-leaf lupin varieties. To address the Australian grain producers' problems on poor local soils, harsh growing conditions, and declining rainfall, the group used new screening techniques and advanced computer modeling in studying the variability of lupin root systems.
"Our findings may be used in breeding new varieties of lupins with modified root system and function that may produce higher yields in soils with relatively limited water and nutrient resources," said Professor Zed Rengel.
More details about this study are available at http://www.news.uwa.edu.au/201205084599/research/crop-root-study-boost-australian-grain-production.
| |
Biotech Updates is a weekly newsletter of ISAAA, a not-for-profit organization. It is distributed for free to over 22,000 subscribers worldwide to inform them about the key developments in biosciences, especially in biotechnology. Your support will help us in our mission to feed the world with knowledge. You can help by donating as little as $10.
-
See more articles:
-
News from Around the World
- FAO Director-General Warns of Horn of Africa, Sahel Funding Gap
- Biotechnology, Key to Realizing Africa's Full Agricultural Potential, says Ghana Minister
- FAO: Use Your Oil Resources to Improve Agriculture in Africa
- CGIAR Program to Improve Maize Opens Call for Proposals
- Cornell Researcher Works to Reduce Aluminum Toxicity in Rice
- NSF Grant Supports Study on Hidden Soybean Genes
- IFIC Survey on Consumers' Perception of Food Tech
- New Source of Biofuel from Ceres Sweet Sorghum Hybrids
- Consumer Attitude toward GM Foods in South Korea
- New Nematode-Resistant Wheat
- PAU Experts Urge Use of Biotechnology in Pest Management
- ADB Report: Comprehensive Approach Must Be Implemented for Food Security and Poverty Reduction in Asia
- Philippine Agri Experts Underscore Need for Alternative Bt Eggplant Technology
- UWA Crop Root Study to Boost Grain Production
- China's Ten Measures to Promote Transformation of Traditional Agriculture
- QUAAFI-Pioneer Hi-Bred Partners on Predicting Crop Yield Technology
- JHI Receives £1.25M Grant for Barley Research
- Moss Detects Air Pollution
- Undue Delays in the EU Approval of Safe GM Products
-
Research Highlights
- Pollen Allergic Risk Assessment of GM Pepper and GM Chinese Cabbage
- Effects of Bt Maize Feeds on Immune Response and Digestive Fate of Bt Gene and Protein
- Scientists Compare Nutritional and Phytochemical Properties of GE Pepper and Its Parent Cultivar
-
Beyond Crop Biotech
- microRNAs: Key to Treating Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Scripps Research Institute Finds Protein that Can Silence Genes
- ABSOLUTE: A New View of the Cancer Genome
- Pfizer and Protalix BioTherapeutics Derive GE Carrot Cells for Gaucher Disease Treatment
- CSIRO Student Develops "Spell Checker" for Gene Sequences
- Study Probes How Organisms Evolved Diverse Mechanisms
-
Announcements
- Conference on Czech Contribution to Sustainable Bioeconomy
-
Resources
- Analysis of U.S. Genetically Engineered Crop Regulation and Litigation
- Biotechnology the Invisible Revolution
-
Read the latest: - Biotech Updates (April 17, 2024)
- Gene Editing Supplement (April 10, 2024)
- Gene Drive Supplement (February 22, 2023)
-
Subscribe to BU: - Share
- Tweet