Innovative Approach to Breeding Could Mean Higher Yields and Better Crops

Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists in Albany, California, have found a way to streamline the process that scientists use to insert multiple genes into a crop plant, developing a reliable method that will make it easier to breed a variety of crops with vastly improved traits.

Different potato varieties. Image credit: Scott Bauer/USDA ARS

The technology is expected to speed up the process for developing new varieties of potatoes, rice, citrus and other crops that are better equipped to tolerate heat and drought, produce higher yields and resist a myriad of diseases and pests. Crops with greater resistance to pathogens and insects could greatly reduce pesticide use and prevent billions of dollars in crop losses.

Making genetic improvements that were difficult or impossible before will be much easier because we can now insert not just one or two genes, but multiple genes, into a plant in a way that will lead to predictable outcomes.

The GAANTRY gene stacking technology will be freely available to anyone interested, and a commercial firm is planning to use it to introduce multiple genes into potatoes to make them more resistant to late blight, which is caused by a fungus-like organism. Late blight can destroy entire fields and force some farmers to spray fungicides up to 15 times a year.

Scientists over the years have modified the genetics of soybeans, corn, canola and other crop plants to develop varieties that tolerate specific herbicides and resist insect pests. But those traits were controlled by one or two genes, and in most crop plants, important traits such as cold and drought tolerance, yield and seed production are almost always controlled by multiple genes. Inserting more than two or three genes into the same site on a plant chromosome has been notoriously difficult.

The researchers’ unique platform stabilizes large “stacks” of DNA needed for conferring key traits, allowing researchers to insert suites of genes so precisely that no unintended DNA is added or lost during the process.

Before this, assembling 10 genes to insert into a new line would be difficult or impossible, but this technology basically stabilizes the stack and makes for results that are more stable and much easier to predict.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Fossil discovery adds to understanding of how geological changes affected evolution of mammalian life

The discovery of fossil teeth from two marsupial species that lived 43 million years ago on what was at that time an island provides key insights into the influence of geological changes on the evolution of mammals.

Comet Flying by Earth Observed with Radar and Infrared

Astronomers were watching when comet P/2016 BA14 flew past Earth on March 22. At the time of its closest approach, the comet was about 2.2 million miles (3.5 million kilometers) away, making it the third closest comet flyby in recorded history.

Mysterious Dimming of Tabby's Star May Be Caused by Dust

One of the most mysterious stellar objects, called KIC 8462852, also known as Boyajian's Star, or Tabby's Star, has experienced unusual dips in brightness.

Lost Norse of Greenland fuelled the medieval ivory trade, ancient walrus DNA suggests

New DNA analysis reveals that, before their mysterious disappearance, the Norse colonies of Greenland had a “near monopoly” on Europe’s walrus ivory supply. An overreliance on this trade may have contributed to Norse Greenland’s collapse when the medieval market declined.

Longevity gene linked to better brain skills

People with a variant form of a lifespan-related gene tend not only to live longer but to have better cognitive skills than those who lack the variant, a new study reports. Experiments done in mice might help explain why. The findings could lead to new approaches for improving thinking skills at various life stages.

Greenland's Ice Melting Faster than Previously Thought

Greenland's ice is melting faster than previously thought, according to a new study.