Maize gene could lead to bumper harvest
Date: 26.1.2012
The discovery of a new 'provisioning' gene in maize plants that regulates the transfer of nutrients from the plant to the seed could lead to increased crop yields and improve food security.
Scientists from Oxford University and the University of Warwick, in collaboration with agricultural biotech research company Biogemma-Limagrain, have identified the gene, called Meg 1. They report their find, which they believe could help to increase global food production, in Current Biology.
Dr. Gutierrez-Marcos of the University of Warwick said: "These findings have significant implications for global agriculture and food security, as scientists now have the molecular know-how to manipulate this gene by traditional plant breeding or through other methods in order to improve seed traits, such as increased seed biomass yield.
