
English: Wheat (Triticum aestivum) near Auvers-sur-Oise, France, June 2007 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Epigenetic factors identified as key to preventing loss of wheat caused by rain and high humidity (and should lead to better beer
The global wheat industry sometimes loses as much as $1 billion a year because prolonged rainfall and high humidity contribute to grains germinating before they are fully mature. The result is both a lower yield of wheat and grains of inferior quality. This phenomenon, known as pre-harvest sprouting or PHS, has such important economic repercussions for farmers around the world that scientists have been working on finding a solution to the problem for at least a couple of decades. Their focus has been on genetic factors, and on the interaction between genotypes and the environment as they have tried to breed wheat that is resistant to PHS, but with little success so far.
But now, findings by a McGill team suggest that the solution may lie not with genetics alone, but rather with a combination of genetic and epigenetic factors. The team, led by Prof. Jaswinder Singh of McGill’s Department of Plant Science, has identified a key gene that acts as a switch to determine how a particular plant will respond to high humidity and excess rainfall by either germinating early (PHS) or not. This switch is to be found in a key gene, ARGONAUTE4_9, in the “RNA dependent DNA Methylation” pathway (RdDM).
“The complex RdDM machinery is composed of several proteins that guide the genome in response to growth, developmental and stress signals. It’s a bit like the plant’s brain,” says Singh. “Although in the past scientists have identified it as the pathway that regulates the way a variety of genes are expressed, until now no one had made the link with PHS.”
The McGill team made the discovery by using a variety of genomic and molecular tools to identify specific ARGONAUTE4_9 genes, and then compare the way that these genes are expressed in PHS resistant versus PHS susceptible varieties of wheat.
“This discovery is important for other cereals like barley as well as for wheat,” said Surinder Singh, a Ph.D. student and one of the authors of this study, currently working in Professor Singh’s laboratory. “This means that not only should we be able to avoid the ugly bread and sticky crumbs produced by PHS wheat in future, we should also end up with better beer. “
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Pre-harvest sprouting
- What to do now to get your garden ready for spring, summer
Both of these trees are best pruned in late summer after harvest. Now is also the time to ... Control spring and summer weeds before they sprout by putting down fresh layers of mulch and/or ...
- From the Ground Up: Kitchen gardening with sprouts
Sprouting legume and other seeds unlocks their flavor and nutrition, making them an easy way to boost the healthfulness of your diet. In an article I found online, Tracey Roizman (B.S. in ...
- Mushroom protein company Meati Foods opens ‘mega’ facility; closes $22M in new funding
Mega Ranch enables Meati Foods to grow, harvest and process its mycelium and then produce its products under one roof.
- Tasks To Do In February To Prepare For Your Best Spring Garden
The middle of winter is often viewed as a time to rest, but there are still some things that are worth tending to, especially for the garden lovers.
- Looking for something to grow in the winter? Try sprouts or mushrooms
Monitor until the first true leaves start to form. Harvest and enjoy. If sprouts or microgreens are not your thing, consider mushrooms. These are perfect crops for the winter. All you need is a ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Pre-harvest sprouting
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Pre-harvest sprouting” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
Go deeper with Bing News on:
PHS wheat
- Wheat prices fall 10% as govt steps in
Traders and flour millers said that the wheat and atta (flour) retail prices are going to decline by middle of February, after bulk buyers buy wheat from the Food Corporation of India’s (FCI ...
- Wheat reversal has more steam
U.S. grain exports were strong this week with wheat and soybeans at the top of expectations and corn within expectations. Despite being on Lunar New Year holidays this week, China did purchase U.S ...
- High wheat prices: could official figures be wrong?
Rising prices of wheat, atta and roti are creating chaos for consumers, especially the poorest sections of the populations. The government’s view suggests that there is no real cause for concern.
- Achieving wheat self-sufficiency pays off
THE country spent US$112, 6 million on imports of various wheat products from January to November 2022 marking a 15 percent increase from the US$97, 6 million recorded for the same period in 2021.
- After wheat and eggs, soaring rice prices could be the next big worry for consumers
Against some predictions for a second straight year of falling corn and wheat production in war-stricken Ukraine, analysts have started to raise the alarm over another commodity. Prices for rice ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
PHS wheat
[google_news title=”” keyword=”PHS wheat” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]