Investment

Investment

GRDC Code: CSP2304-010RTX
ACRCP Phase 5: Optimising genetic control of wheat rusts through identification of gene editing targets for broad spectrum wheat rust control
Plant diseases are a significant production constraint to all agricultural crops, including wheat where rust diseases remain a major threat. Rust disease resistance in wheat regularly breaks down due to the evolution of new virulent wheat rust races. New sources of rust disease resistance genes are therefore continually required to maintain crop protection. Gene editing is a powerful new technology that enables highly targeted modifications to be made in plant and animal genes. This project will apply this innovative new gene editing technology to modify wheat genes to create rust disease resistant plants. Gene editing will be used to explore if resistance conferred by known wheat rust resistance genes can be enhanced. Additionally, it will be used to inactivate wheat genes called "susceptibility" genes to see if this inactivation can provide novel rust disease resistance.
Project start date:
03/04/2023
Project end date:
31/05/2026
Crop type:
  • Wheat, (Cereal)
Organisation
CSIRO
Region:
North, South, West
Project status
status icon Active