April 12, 2006

New wheat type set to take root in Australia
 

New wheat strains tolerant to tough weather conditions with higher yields would be widely used in breeding programmes to overcome genetic limitations in Australia, said Dr Richard Richards of the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organization (CSIRO).

Through the application of physiology and biotechnology from research efforts by the CSIRO and Australia's Grains Research & Development Corporation (GRDC), new wheat cultivars would be created that would increase annual yields by 2 percent, he added.

While traditional breeding methods will remain the mainstay of plant improvement in Australia's wheat industry, new varieties would emerge to enhance grain yield and provide increased disease resistance while improving grain quality, said Dr Richards.