- Title: Wheat grain size boosted by synthetic chemical
- Date: 23rd January 2017
- Summary: VILJOENSKROON, FREE STATE, SOUTH AFRICA (FILE - JANUARY 12, 2016) (REUTERS) BARREN FIELDS VARIOUS OF PLANTED MAIZE CROPS FARMER PICKING UP DRY SOIL
- Embargoed: 6th February 2017 12:04
- Keywords: wheat crop farming agriculture drought Rothamstead Research Oxford University food UNFAO
- Location: HARPENDEN, HERTFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND, UK
- City: HARPENDEN, HERTFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND, UK
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Life Sciences,Science
- Reuters ID: LVA00460AXOIJ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Scientists in the UK have developed a method to modify how sugars are used by plants, with laboratory trials showing wheat grains increasing in size by up 20 percent after application of a synthetic chemical. The research, published recently in the journal Nature, could have implications for global food security by boosting the yield of a harvested crop.
Researchers from Rothamsted Research and Oxford University created a synthetic molecule that, when dissolved in water and sprayed on to the wheat crop during the grain filling period soon after the crop has flowered, helps the wheat grain take up more sucrose, the main fuel generated by photosynthesis. More sucrose being drawn into the grain to make starch resulted in an increase of wheat grain size.
According to the United Nations, one in nine people are undernourished - about 795 million people globally. Principal investigator Dr. Matthew Paul, from Rothamsted Research, said using chemistry to boost harvests could offer one solution.
"We need to be thinking of new approaches to improving crop yields. And the approach that we've adopted in this particular example is to get more of the resources that are produced in photosynthesis - the sugars produced in photosynthesis - getting more of that resource going from the leaves into the harvested product, the ears of wheat," Paul told Reuters.
The first-of-its-kind method uses synthetic 'precursors' of the sugar trehalose 6-phosphate (T6P).
"We found that this particular sugar activates genes for starch synthesis in the wheat grain, meaning that there is a greater capacity for starch synthesis in the grain. We get bigger grains as a consequence, a higher yield. And this is actually resulting in more sugar produced in photosynthesis actually ending up where we want it - in the ears of wheat."
The proof of concept study was conducted in a controlled environment with the experimental wheat crop cultivated in growth chambers that mimic the growing conditions of the British climate. There are time windows during growth of the wheat crop for the chemicals to be applied to get the best effect on yield.
"Usually five to ten days after flowering has started to occur is when the chemicals are most beneficial," said postdoctoral research scientist Cara A. Griffiths.
Just a single application of the solution was sufficient to increase yield, researchers found.
As with all new foodstuffs, stringent testing will be required to make sure the wheat grown by this method is fit for human consumption. But the scientists are confident it could offer a viable method to increase crop yields.
"We're just modifying a natural process of sugar. It's a sugar that occurs in all vegetation, all fruits. So, all of us will be eating this on a daily basis if we eat fruits and vegetables; we'll be eating this sugar compound anyway," said Paul.
He added: "Currently there's conventional breeding to improve crops and genetic modification (GM). This is, as far as we're aware, the first example of a chemical modification of sugar signalling - a process in plants that regulates plant growth and development."
As well as a burgeoning global population, food security is also impacted by drought. But applying the solution during early growth can enhance plants' ability to recover from drought, researchers say.
"Not only can we improve the grain size by spraying the ears of wheat, we can also improve the regrowth after a period of drought. So this could be important in actually rescuing a crop after a period of dry weather during early growth," said Paul.
Initial trials have taken place in the lab with plans to replicate the experiment in the field in different environments this year. This will help the researchers determine how to scale up production of the synthetic molecule and understand effects that more variable conditions may have on results. They're also working on adapting their method to help boost yields of different staple foods, including rice and maize. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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