Biotech Updates

Temperature Changes Affect Wheat Resistance to Yellow Rust

January 22, 2014

JIC scientists have discovered that changing temperatures can have a big effect on resistance to yellow rust, one of the most serious diseases of wheat. Most laboratory studies on disease resistance are performed at constant day temperatures under controlled conditions. Yet in the field, temperatures are constantly changing, and this is rarely investigated.

It was found out that there was no difference in resistance to yellow rust between wheat grown at 18oC or 25oC. However, if infected plants experienced an increase from 18oC to 25oC, resistance increased. Changing temperature in the other direction decreased resistance. Interestingly, another variety did not show the same effect, suggesting genetic diversity for the trait. With more extreme weather events predicted, the research could help in the development of more climate-resilient wheat varieties in the future.

See John Innes Centre's news release at http://news.jic.ac.uk/2014/01/climate-resilient-wheat/.