Scientists discover gene which could protect crops in a drought

Scientists have discovered a new gene in wheat and barley which could protect crops susceptible to drought and nutrient stress.

Researchers have found this gene controls the angle of root growth in the soil, helping scientists to develop crops that are better adapted to cope with the changing climate.

The international team from the UK, Italy, Germany and the USA have revealed the new gene is called Enhanced Gravitropism 1 (EGT1) in barely.

‘The angle at which barley roots grow down into the soil enables them to capture water and nutrients from different soil layers,’ said Dr Haoyu (Mia) Lou from the University of Adelaide’s School of Agriculture, Food and Wine who was joint first author on the study.

‘Shallow roots enable plants to capture phosphate and surface water, while deeper, straighter roots can stabilise yield by accessing deeper water and nitrate; they can also bury carbon deeper in the soil.

‘By identifying the genes that control root growth angle we can greatly aid efforts to develop crops that are better adapted to specific soil types and more resilient to fluctuating environmental conditions, helping to mitigate carbon burden and counter the effects of climate change.’

The scientists identified that mutants lacking the EGT1 gene have steeper roots which are unable to grow outwards from the plant and instead grow straight down.

With rising fertiliser costs and an increased pressure to meet sustainability targets, its hoped this discovery could help to develop new crop varieties which are better able to capture nutrients, carbon and water.

Co-author Associate Professor Matthew Tucker, Deputy Director of the Waite Research Institute said: ‘These findings were made possible through exciting technologies such as X-ray CT, enabling root growth to be traced in soil. They could immediately help cereal breeders to select varieties with straighter roots from their genetic stocks, or aid in the development and deployment of new EGT1 alleles in the near future.’

Photo by Tomasz Filipek