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Genomics Centre targets acid soils
13 Aug 2004
The NSW Agricultural Genomics Centre has identified DNA markers for aluminium tolerance that will help in the breeding of plants tolerant to acid soils. Centre Director, Dr Liz Dennis, said aluminium is present in toxic levels in acid soils across much of Australia's agricultural land causing up to $1 billion in lost production every year. Using the DNA marker, the location of the aluminium tolerance gene can be flagged and followed during a breeding program, so it can be incorporated into premium wheat varieties.
The Centre, which has been operating for two years, has also identified genes in rice, wheat and cotton that may lead to other improved crop varieties. It's participating in a global project to unravel the rice genome, to determine what each rice gene is responsible for. Some genes help rice seedlings establish and grow quickly - useful for Australian varieties.
CSIRO Media Release, 12/8/04.
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