NEWS
MOLECULAR BASIS FOR GREEN REVOLUTION DISCOVERED
Half a century after dwarf wheat developed, scientists discover proteins responsible
- 09
- FEB
- 2021
Scientists have finally discovered the plant proteins responsible for the ‘Green Revolution’ – the breeding of dwarf wheat varieties during the 1960s that helped feed the developing world.
The team from Rothamsted, Ghent University, and chemical company BASF have characterised the molecular mechanism responsible for these wheat varieties, whose shorter stems made them more resistant to toppling over in bad weather and substantially increased grain yields.
Importantly, the research also explains why only certain parts of the wheat plant are affected by the dwarfing genes, and could be good news for farmers battling preharvest sprouting.
Study author Dr Steve Thomas said: “This finding represents a fundamental advancement in our understanding of the molecular basis of the Green Revolution alleles.
“It allows us to develop new dwarfing alleles that have improved characteristics including increased resistance to preharvest sprouting, which is not achieved with the Green Revolution dwarfing genes.”
Despite dwarf wheat being developed over half a century ago by Nobel Peace Prize winner Norman Borlaug, the proteins produced by the key Reduced Height (Rht-1) genes had never been found.
The mutant dwarfing genes – which themselves were identified more than 20 years ago – work by producing abnormal proteins that restrict stem growth. In tall wheat plants these proteins are broken down by the plant hormone gibberellin, but in the dwarf varieties this does not occur, leading to shorter stems
Gibberellin regulates many developmental processes in plants, such as stem elongation, germination, grain dormancy, and flowering. Dwarfing genes have been found in many plants and they usually affect all of these processes. The wheat dwarfing genes are different in this respect.
Not only did the research team characterise the proteins, they also uncovered the unexpected finding that their production in different parts of the plant varied.
This causes different plant organs to display different sensitivities to gibberellin – which, according to Dr Thomas, is why wheat with the Green Revolution dwarfing genes show a reduction in stem height but do not show enhanced grain dormancy.
Preharvest sprouting is a serious problem for wheat growers. It is triggered by damp cold conditions that cause the grain to germinate before it is harvested. This leads to poor quality flour and significant financial losses for the farmer.
This work is allowing Dr Thomas and colleagues to develop new dwarfing genes that overcome these deficiencies of the widely used Green Revolution alleles.
About Rothamsted Research
Rothamsted Research is the longest-running agricultural research institute in the world. We work from gene to field with a proud history of ground-breaking discoveries, from crop treatment to crop protection, from statistical interpretation to soils management. Our founders, in 1843, were the pioneers of modern agriculture, and we are known for our imaginative science and our collaborative influence on fresh thinking and farming practices.
Through independent science and innovation, we make significant contributions to improving agri-food systems in the UK and internationally. In terms of the institute’s economic contribution, the cumulative impact of our work in the UK was calculated to exceed £3000 million a year in 20151. Our strength lies in our systems approach, which combines science and strategic research, interdisciplinary teams and partnerships.
Rothamsted is also home to three unique resources. These National Capabilities are open to researchers from all over the world: The Long-Term Experiments, Rothamsted Insect Survey and the North Wyke Farm Platform.
We are strategically funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), with additional support from other national and international funding streams, and from industry. We are also supported by the Lawes Agricultural Trust (LAT).
For more information, visit https://www.rothamsted.ac.uk/; Twitter @Rothamsted
1Rothamsted Research and the Value of Excellence: A synthesis of the available evidence, by Séan Rickard (Oct 2015)
About BBSRC
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council is part of UK Research and Innovation, a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid from the UK government.
BBSRC invests in world-class bioscience research and training on behalf of the UK public. Our aim is to further scientific knowledge, to promote economic growth, wealth and job creation and to improve quality of life in the UK and beyond.
Funded by government, BBSRC invested £469 million in world-class bioscience in 2016-17. We support research and training in universities and strategically funded institutes. BBSRC research and the people we fund are helping society to meet major challenges, including food security, green energy and healthier, longer lives. Our investments underpin important UK economic sectors, such as farming, food, industrial biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.
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About LAT
The Lawes Agricultural Trust, established in 1889 by Sir John Bennet Lawes, supports Rothamsted Research’s national and international agricultural science through the provision of land, facilities and funding. LAT, a charitable trust, owns the estates at Harpenden and Broom's Barn, including many of the buildings used by Rothamsted Research. LAT provides an annual research grant to the Director, accommodation for nearly 200 people, and support for fellowships for young scientists from developing countries. LAT also makes capital grants to help modernise facilities at Rothamsted, or invests in new buildings.