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Introgression of the sunflowerHaHB4gene in modern wheat: An advancement in resilience to deal with climate change Article uri icon

description

  • AbstractBreeding for improved tolerance to water deficit is critical to mitigate climate change impact on wheat yield. In 2020, Argentina approved the first wheat transformed with the sunflowerHaHB4gene (INDØØ412-7), which increased yield by 16% compared to the non-transformed parental Cadenza under drought conditions. Previous studies may have overestimatedHaHB4benefits, as Cadenza is a long cycle for the Pampas region. Quantifying the yield advantage ofHaHB4in modern, well-adapted cultivars and elucidating the physiological processes involved, is crucial for identifying optimal environments for this technology. In a broad network of experiments (one greenhouse and 29 field environments), anHaHB4-introgressed line of Algarrobo was compared with the conventional cultivar. Under water deficit during the reproductive phase, the yield advantage ofHaHB4was 15% in the greenhouse and 13% in the field.HaHB4improved the relative yield by 0.06 to 0.08 % per mm of water deficit. The enhanced water use and water use efficiency conferred byHaHB4, allowed maintaining growth and yield under water deficit.HaHB4showed the highest benefit with moderate heat stress (∑Tmax > 30 °C ∼40-60 °Cd). In areas prone to drought combined with heat stress,HaHB4would enhance yield stability by improving water-limited yield.HighlightsHaHB4-introgressed wheat enhanced water-limited yield by maintaining the crop growth under moderate to severe water deficit combined with mild heat stress through increasing water use and water use efficiency.

publication date

  • 2024