News: Waite Research Institute

New discovery set to boost disease-resistant rice

Photo of a rice field

Rice that is resistant to some of the worst crop-destroying diseases but can still produce large yields could soon become a reality for farmers worldwide.

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Ultra-fast plant enzyme dynamics leads to breakthroughs

The structural changes of a barley enzyme.

Researchers from the University of Adelaide have uncovered previously unknown properties in a plant enzyme that could lead to advances in cereal production, medical and pharmaceutical industries.

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Straightening out kinky roots captures carbon and avoids drought stress

Barley swaying in the wind.

Researchers have discovered a new gene in barley and wheat that controls the angle of root growth in soil, opening the door to new cereal varieties with deeper roots that are less susceptible to drought and nutrient stress, thus mitigating the effects of climate change

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Delaying grapes from ripening results in more flavoursome wine

A bunch of red winegrapes sit on the vine

Researchers from the University of Adelaide have crunched the data on the best methods to delay grapes ripening on the vine, leading to better quality wine.

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New herbicidal compounds may provide major boost for Aussie farmers

A tractor in a field spraying weeds.

Weeds cost Australian farmers more than $5 billion annually, but researchers from the University of Adelaide and La Trobe University have discovered a way to potentially stop them dead in their tracks.

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What will astronauts eat on Mars?

The window of a space shuttle shows the view of a planet.

Forget rocket science: figuring out how crews of space explorers will access fresh healthy food is the real challenge.

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Finding a future for food crops: Research Tuesdays

Barley plants

Genetically modified crops have been grown and consumed in many countries for over 30 years. Yet, despite the benefits they offer to human health, crop management and humanitarian support, genetically modified (GM) foods remain a controversial topic.

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New findings to boost barley yields at higher temps

Barley

An international team of researchers has identified a novel mechanism in barley plants, which could help crop growers achieve high yields as temperatures rise.

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