Investment
Investment
GRDC Code: CSP2307-003RTX
Determining the effect of wheat morphological and anatomical traits on frost susceptibility of wheat
In Australian cropping environments, frosts represent a major and increasingly regular constraint to wheat yields and enduring grower profitability. The most damaging frosts are those that occur in spring when cereals are close to, or at flowering. Modelling studies suggest reductions of as little as 1°C in crop frost sensitivity would deliver an estimated increased annual return to growers of approximately $360 million. Anecdotal field observations suggest potential for some morphological and anatomical traits to reduce sensitivity to frost damage at flowering. These traits may provide greater physical protection or could reduce the formation and accumulation of ice crystals on newly-emerged wheat heads. This project aims to carefully assess the extent of reproductive frost damage in unique wheat germplasm differing for specific morphological and anatomical wheat traits. Experiments are targeted for assessment under field and controlled environment conditions throughout western and southern Australia. Research is being led by CSIRO in close collaboration with DPIRD, SARDI and Charles Sturt University, and is linking to breeding companies Australian Grain Technologies, Longreach Plant Breeders and Trigall Australia to deliver improved genetics and understanding for use in development of more frost resilient wheat varieties.
- Project start date:
- 30/07/2023
- Project end date:
- 20/12/2026
- Crop type:
-
- Wheat, (Cereal)
- Organisation
- CSIRO
- Region:
- North, South, West
- Project status
- Active
GRDC News
Frost research set to target ear architecture
1720620000000
After many years of hearing stories about wheat varieties with different-shaped ears being more tolerant...