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'Rees' wheat gives more crop per drop
30 Sep 2003
Graingene, a joint venture between AWB Limited, the Grains Research and Development Corporation and CSIRO Plant Industry, has released its second commercial variety, Rees. The variety was developed in collaboration with the ANU, the Queensland Department of Primary Industry/Enterprise Grains Australia and is being commercialised and distributed by AWB Seeds.
Rees is a new drought tolerant wheat variety, which CSIRO Plant Industry says has an advantage over comparable wheats in dry years, producing about five per cent more grain despite receiving the same rainfall.
Rees is the second variety to be developed using scientific gene selection criteria based on measuring a plant's carbon isotope signature. By using the DELTA technique, Graingene is able to breed varieties of wheat that more efficiently exchange atmospheric carbon dioxide for water during photosynthesis. In addition, Rees has outstanding resistance to the major wheat diseases and excellent yellow alkaline noodle qualities.
CSIRO Media Release, 24/9/03.
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