Breeders Given Tools to Reduce Grain Defects

At the University of Adelaide (UA), Australia, breeders funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation have produced new germplasm, screening methods and selection tools to develop varieties that are less susceptible to pre-harvest sprouting, late-maturity alpha amylase (LMA) and black point (BP). LMA occurs when the alpha amylase enzyme is triggered by environmental conditions to degrade the grain starch in wheat. The grain defect however is not manifested physically in the grain. Thus, LMA screening becomes an important step in variety classification and ensures that grains released to the farmers will not have that risk.

The research group composed of local and international researchers headed by UA Associate Professor Daryl Mares has identified genetic materials that influence these defects and have subsequently developed new molecular marker tools.

"These tools will speed up the time it takes for breeders to identify wheat lines with enhanced resistance to sprouting and black point and which have greatly reduced risk of LMA. This is because molecular screening can be conducted by breeders in the laboratory, free from the complicating effects of environmental factors associated with field testing," Mares said.

For more on this news, see http://www.grdc.com.au/director/events/mediareleases/?item_id=1A8C1BCF94A4C0203C6017A9AE978322