Scientists Achieve Breakthroughs in Agricultural Research
At University Roma Tre, researchers experimented with the effects of thermospermine (T-Spm) on tomato stress tolerance, or their ability to withstand drought conditions. Natural Science News reported that these researchers genetically modified tomatoes to create mutant tomato plants that could withstand more significant droughts than their unmodified counterparts.
These mutant tomatoes (which aren’t as scary as they might sound) showed better efficiency in their internal water transport systems, which means they retain water better under drought conditions and are theoretically able to survive harsher weather.
Other scientists have used the same genetic modification technology, known as CRISPR, to create other durable plants. For example, Roger Thilmony of the ARS Crop Improvement and Genetics Research team in Albany, California, has developed drought-tolerant wheat using the genetic editing tool.
“Global climate change is a grand challenge for agricultural production,” Thilmony said in an article on USDA’s Tellus page. “Drought is one of the primary stresses that limit crop productivity and cause economic losses. The creation of drought stress-tolerant crops, like wheat, is important to mitigate these problems and enable good agricultural yields, despite environmental challenges.”
Thilmony’s wheat plants stayed green longer under drought conditions than their ordinary counterparts, which signifies potential drought tolerance.
“Gene editing can be applied to a wide array of crops, and it is possible that editing can be used in other plants to make them more drought stress-tolerant,” Thilmony said.
While it might seem ideal to avoid genetically modified foods, the reality is that increasing global temperatures, droughts, wildfires, and weather volatility all combine to put the world in a situation where it simply makes sense to create ways to keep the world running.
Developing drought-tolerant agriculture is a vital step toward a more secure future, as droughts and other extreme weather events are becoming more common due to the dangerous overheating of our planet.
As the climate shifts, we must adapt our systems and lifestyles to the new reality (and create new ones that are better suited to our new conditions). Hardy food sources are among the most important resources in a warming world. Scientists and farmers are also working to proliferate heat-resistant coffee, drought-tolerant chickpeas, and disease-immune rice strains.
Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet.
Scientists Achieve Breakthroughs in Agricultural Research
At University Roma Tre, researchers experimented with the effects of thermospermine (T-Spm) on tomato stress tolerance, or their ability to withstand drought conditions. Natural Science News reported that these researchers genetically modified tomatoes to create mutant tomato plants that could withstand more significant droughts than their unmodified counterparts.
These mutant tomatoes (which aren’t as scary as they might sound) showed better efficiency in their internal water transport systems, which means they retain water better under drought conditions and are theoretically able to survive harsher weather.
Other scientists have used the same genetic modification technology, known as CRISPR, to create other durable plants. For example, Roger Thilmony of the ARS Crop Improvement and Genetics Research team in Albany, California, has developed drought-tolerant wheat using the genetic editing tool.
“Global climate change is a grand challenge for agricultural production,” Thilmony said in an article on USDA’s Tellus page. “Drought is one of the primary stresses that limit crop productivity and cause economic losses. The creation of drought stress-tolerant crops, like wheat, is important to mitigate these problems and enable good agricultural yields, despite environmental challenges.”
Thilmony’s wheat plants stayed green longer under drought conditions than their ordinary counterparts, which signifies potential drought tolerance.
“Gene editing can be applied to a wide array of crops, and it is possible that editing can be used in other plants to make them more drought stress-tolerant,” Thilmony said.
While it might seem ideal to avoid genetically modified foods, the reality is that increasing global temperatures, droughts, wildfires, and weather volatility all combine to put the world in a situation where it simply makes sense to create ways to keep the world running.
Developing drought-tolerant agriculture is a vital step toward a more secure future, as droughts and other extreme weather events are becoming more common due to the dangerous overheating of our planet.
As the climate shifts, we must adapt our systems and lifestyles to the new reality (and create new ones that are better suited to our new conditions). Hardy food sources are among the most important resources in a warming world. Scientists and farmers are also working to proliferate heat-resistant coffee, drought-tolerant chickpeas, and disease-immune rice strains.
Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet.
Scientists Develop Drought-Resistant Crops Using Genetic Modification
Researchers are making significant strides in agricultural science by developing crops that can better withstand drought conditions. At University Roma Tre, scientists have genetically modified tomatoes using thermospermine (T-Spm) to enhance their drought tolerance. These modified tomatoes exhibit improved water retention and transport systems, allowing them to survive harsher weather.
Similarly, Roger Thilmony from the ARS Crop Improvement and Genetics Research team in Albany, California, has utilized CRISPR technology to create drought-tolerant wheat. These genetically edited wheat plants remain greener and more resilient under drought conditions compared to their unmodified counterparts.
Thilmony emphasizes the importance of these advancements in the face of global climate change, which poses a significant challenge to agricultural productivity. He suggests that gene editing can be applied to various crops to enhance their drought resistance, thus ensuring stable agricultural yields despite environmental stresses.
The development of drought-tolerant crops is seen as crucial for securing the future of food production amidst increasing global temperatures, droughts, and extreme weather events. Other ongoing projects include breeding heat-resistant coffee, drought-tolerant chickpeas, and disease-immune rice strains, all aiming to adapt agriculture to the changing climate.
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