July 13, 2010

UK researchers revive ancient wheat

UK researchers are trying to work out how wheat could protect itself from bugs, without the need for many chemicals, by considering ancient wheat's genes.

The scientists are looking at genes from wheat's ancestor that has been bred out over the years in efforts to increase yield.

Using genetic modification, the scientists hope the plants will be able to signal to one another when pests are about, and start producing toxins to kill them.

John Pickett, from Rothamsted Research in the UK, says they want to boost the natural toxins in the plant.

"Lots of crops have their own interests in not being eaten by pests. But we look over this and over 11,000 years of breeding we have overlooked this and eliminated a powerful thing that is there naturally. So we want to raise the level of chemicals in the plant to solve this," Pickett says.