CALGARY — Plant biologist Marcus Samuel has been working for more than a decade to improve the climate resilience of crops.
At his research greenhouse at the University of Calgary, he uses cutting-edge gene editing techniques to produce hardier varieties of plants able to withstand temperature fluctuations, floods and frosts.
Yet wheat is a "thirstier" plant than other staple crops like maize, rice and soy, making it more vulnerable to water shortages. The Washington, D.C.-based World Resources Institute estimates that by 2040, nearly three-quarters of global wheat production will be under threat due to drought and climate change-induced water supply stress.
And truly drought-tolerant wheat remains elusive, even as the need for it becomes more urgent due to climate change. Canada, for example, saw its total wheat production decline almost 40 per cent year-over-year in 2021 due to extreme heat and drought on the prairies. Unlike full-scale genetic modification, gene editing does not involve splicing genetic material from different species together. Instead, it's a precision method that allows scientists to make small, targeted changes to DNA sequences.
She added that's why it's vital that scientists receive the public and private funding they need to work as quickly as possible, so that agriculture's Holy Grail can be discovered before the climate crisis takes a heavier toll.
Santosh Kumar International Development Research Centre Wheat Production Staple Food Gene Editing Drought-Resistant Wheat Plants Climate Resilience Canada World Population Statistics Canada The University Of Calgary
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
CBC Calgary and Calgary Public Library Present: Stories in MotionExplore global dance forms with professional dancers and choreographers.
Read more »
Calgary police chief defends handling of pro-Palestinian protest at University of CalgaryCalgary’s police chief is defending the way officers handled a pro-Palestinian protest at the University of Calgary earlier this month.
Read more »
Pope starts countdown to Holy Year centred on theme of hopeExplore stories from Atlantic Canada.
Read more »
Factbox-What is a Roman Catholic Holy Year?Explore stories from Atlantic Canada.
Read more »
Pope starts countdown to Holy Year centred on theme of hopeExplore stories from Atlantic Canada.
Read more »
Factbox-What is a Roman Catholic Holy Year?Explore stories from Atlantic Canada.
Read more »