Research team uncovers gene regulatory network that controls seed ‘de-greening’
A genetic discovery by a University of Calgary-led international research team offers a solution to a longstanding “green seed problem” that causes millions of dollars annually in canola crop losses.
Led by Marcus Samuel in the Faculty of Science, researchers from the University of Calgary, the University of Toronto and the University of Bordeaux in France, have uncovered a plant gene regulatory network that could be genetically enhanced to prevent green seeds from occurring in mature canola.
“The annual loss in North America alone is close to $150 million from this de-greening issue,” says Samuel, assistant professor and chair of the plant biology program in the Department of Biological Sciences. “I want to see this basic science translated into a viable application. Canola is a huge cash crop and we have a real solution to a major problem.”
The team’s research was just published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, a top-ranked journal. The article, “ABI3 controls embryo degreening through Mendel’s I locus,” includes five years of work by U of C faculty and students.
Canola is the major cash crop in Alberta. The province produces about 35 per cent of Canada’s canola. Across the country, the oilseed crop, whose seeds are pressed into canola oil, contributes about $15 billion a year to the Canadian economy.
The problem: Green colour ‘fixed’ by frost
Every year around the time when canola matures, an unpredictable touch of a light frost can damage crop quality and cause severe losses.
“The frost doesn’t kill off the plant, but it ‘fixes’ the green colour in the seeds,” Samuel explains. “Non-lethal” frosts, occurring at temperatures of zero to minus a degree or two Celsius, can result in up to 20 per cent green seeds – as opposed to mature brown or black seeds – in mature canola, he says.
This presence of chlorophyll (pigment that imparts green colour to plants) in mature seeds affects the oil quality, produces unpleasant flavours and odours, and reduces the oil’s shelf life.
De-greening process investigated in close relative to canola
The research team investigated the de-greening process in a weed species called Arabidopsis, a “model” research plant whose complete genetic makeup is known and which is a close genetic relative of canola.
The research team, using a “mutant” strain of Arabidopsis that produces mature green seeds, performed genetic analyses that uncovered a pathway required for seed development and removal of unwanted chlorophyll during seed maturation.
They found that a protein that regulates gene expression (how the gene’s information is used in synthesizing a functional gene product), called ABI3, is important in removing seed chlorophyll and enabling the seeds to de-green.
In an illustration of how basic science builds upon itself, the researchers identified that ABI3 regulated expression of a gene mapped in 2007 as controlling chlorophyll degradation and resulting in yellow versus green seed colour. This colour difference was first identified as a trait in the 1800s by genetics pioneer Gregor Johann Mendel, who used it as a marker to study the inheritance of traits.
The team also showed that a higher expression of ABI3 in Arabidopsis led to seeds that were able to de-green normally to produce mature brown-black seeds, despite harsh cold treatments. “This overexpression allows these plants to withstand cold much better and for the system to be functional even though it’s hit with cold,” Samuel notes.
The goal: Create varieties that can withstand freezing
“Given the similarity of Arabidopsis and canola, it would be easy to isolate the same genes from canola and use transgenic technologies (which introduce new genes into organisms) to create varieties that could withstand freezing conditions, yet produce mature brown-black seeds,” he says. “We actually have demonstrated in our laboratory tests that the canola genes work the same way.”
The Latest Bing News on:
Canola crop
- In-field tissue test now available for use in corn cropson April 26, 2024 at 4:00 pm
A nutrient testing system first used in potatoes is now moving into corn. The Leaf-Evaluated-Nutrient System (LENS) unit from Picketa Systems, based in ...
- As the climate changes, so too do Canadians' farm fields and dinner tableson April 26, 2024 at 1:00 am
Canada's farm fields are in the midst of a transformation. As the country rapidly warms from human-caused climate change, farmers are being pushed to reconsider conventional wisdom about what can and ...
- Global soybean glut could pressure canola priceson April 25, 2024 at 7:53 pm
The world will be awash in soybeans in 2024-25, and that could be an anchor on canola prices, say analysts. The International Grains Council ...
- Canada's worries about Bunge-Viterra deal may force asset saleson April 24, 2024 at 12:58 pm
Canada's competition concerns about U.S. agribusiness Bunge's planned takeover of rival Viterra sets the stage for the companies to sell some assets to close the deal, experts said. Bunge's CEO Greg ...
- Pakistani and Chinese companies to control Canola Crop losseson April 23, 2024 at 10:39 am
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani and Chinese companies under a joint venture have engaged themselves to control Canola Crop losses.They have undertaken the task in the Bhakkar district of Punjab. Pakistan’s ...
- Pak-China JV introduces advanced harvester machines for canola cropson April 23, 2024 at 3:10 am
Pakistan's Evyol Group has demonstrated advanced harvester attachments aimed at controlling shattering losses in canola crop in Bhakkar district of Punjab. Evyol Group provides high-quality canola ...
- Canadian crop movement and demandon April 22, 2024 at 1:50 pm
Following crop disappearance levels helps producers assess market conditions and the potential for forward pricing opportunities.
- Just how big is Brazil’s soybean crop?on April 22, 2024 at 11:30 am
On a recent trip to Toronto, I could see the CN Tower from my hotel room. It looked impressive, but not that impressive given the view of nearby buildings ...
- USDA flags third biggest Aussie canola crop but WA a concernon April 18, 2024 at 11:00 pm
Australia could have a big canola year ahead according to the USDA. Photo by Gregor Heard. International analysts are expecting another big year for Australian canola, however local forecasters are ...
- GIWA releases initial forecast for WA crop area of 8.6Mhaon April 18, 2024 at 9:35 pm
Winter crop now being planted in WA is forecast to cover 8,595,000ha, according to GIWA's first crop report for the season...Read More ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Canola crop
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Canola crop” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
The Latest Bing News on:
Green seed problem
- 6 plants gardening experts say you should never grow from seed – and what to do insteadon April 26, 2024 at 11:00 pm
For example, if you're tending to your herb garden for spring and summer, you're better off growing rosemary from cuttings rather than beginning the entire process from seed – but more on that later.
- U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schoolson April 26, 2024 at 9:41 am
FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 26, 2024) — Gov. Andy Beshear and the Kentucky Environmental Education Council congratulated Arlington Elementary School in Lexington and Robert D. Johnson Elementary School in ...
- Best dry dog food for your pup, according to veterinarianson April 26, 2024 at 8:24 am
Did you adopt a dog or want to change your dog’s dry food brand? These veterinarians have advice on the best dry dog food to buy and which kibble to avoid.
- Natural Selections: Houndstongue is a noxious, poisonous weed with nasty seeds and pretty flowerson April 23, 2024 at 8:58 am
After spending several hours stalking and photographing butterflies on Flagstaff Mountain, I returned home and spent about 10 minutes removing burs from my jeans and wool socks.
- Commentary: Seeds of change for our planet and mental health this Earth Dayon April 20, 2024 at 2:29 am
Earth Day burst onto the scene like a breath of fresh air in 1970, inspired by one of the first green advocates, Wisconsin Sen. Gaylord Nelson, after the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill. Teaming with ...
- Green Crack Strain Information: Potency, Uses & Where to Buy in 2024on April 14, 2024 at 4:59 am
Green Crack is a beginner-friendly weed strain best suited for indoor cultivation. It has an average yield of around 20 ounces per square meter and flowers quickly for a sativa strain. You can expect ...
- 7 tips for planting grass seed to get a greener lawnon April 6, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Whether you’re planting your backyard from scratch or simply looking to reinvigorate a fading patch of grass, planting grass seed is a common ... ve resolved any weed problems.
- Want a lush lawn? Here’s when to plant grass seed in spring for the best resultson February 23, 2024 at 7:10 am
To foster grass growth, water new seeds often and wait to mow your lawn until they’ve developed a strong root system. Growing a vibrant green lawn ... Look for problem areas with thin coverage ...
- Saving Green Bean Seedson December 20, 2023 at 2:12 pm
Saving seeds from green beans is a perfect introduction to seed saving ... can be complicated because of cross-pollination issues, this isn’t normally a problem with beans, which makes them a perfect ...
- ACS Project SEED Programon November 16, 2023 at 4:13 am
On April 4, 1968 the ACS Council passed a resolution “to take the appropriate steps to ease the problems of underprivileged segments ... From this, Project SEED (originally “Summer Experiences for the ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Green seed problem
[google_news title=”” keyword=”green seed problem” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]