Three Wheat Genes Linked to Yield Gains

Studies conducted at the Australian Plant Phenomics Facility (APPF) showed experimental genetically modified (GM) wheat lines has the potential to significantly increase yields. These lines ‘overexpress' three wild-type plant genes, either individually or in combination, and were developed to test whether targeting individual wheat genes could lead to improvements in yield.

In greenhouse studies conducted at the APPF, yield gains from the best performing lines were in the range of 32 to 50 per cent, compared to the same germplasm lacking the GM trait. In a field trial, some of the GM lines still outperformed the controls, delivering yield gains between 20 to 30 percent.

The three genes and their traits are:

• AVP1 (Vacuolar Proton Pyrophosphatase 1) – improved sugar transport from source to sinks; enhanced root growth and nutrient uptake; and increased shoot biomass and tiller number resulting in a bigger plant.
• PSTOL1 (Phosphorus Starvation Tolerance 1) – enhanced root growth and nutrient uptake; and increased shoot biomass and tiller number.
• NAS (Nicotianamine Synthase) – increased shoot biomass and tiller number.

For more details, read the news article in the APPF website.