Crop resilience is essential for agricultural producers to maintain their yield, and it’s also a vital part of global food security. Now, a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science on March 16 has revealed how crops may be modified to enhance their resilience in the future.
Researchers from Penn State partnered with international experts to identify a gene-encoding transcription factor that can convert DNA into RNA. In turn, a genetic sequence may be triggered to help corn roots obtain more nutrients and water. By giving corn this trait — or phenotype — they can potentially form air passages in their roots. The phenotype is called root cortical aerenchyma, and it is “metabolically cheaper,” according to research team leader Jonathan Lynch. As a result, corn can explore soil more efficiently to reap all of its benefits, even in sterile conditions.
“We spent ten years on this, confirming and validating our results, to make sure that this is the gene and the specific transcription factor that controls root cortical aerenchyma formation,” researcher Hannah Schneider told Penn State. “Doing this type of work in the field and digging up and phenotyping roots of mature plants was a long process.”
The researchers hope that their findings help plant breeders, as well as farmers who are looking to sustain their yield and grow more resilient crops. With agricultural machinery and technology from John Deere, industry professionals will also be in a better position to contribute to global food security.
More information on John Deere’s line of agricultural machinery can be found by contacting your local John Deere dealer.