Australian Scientists have developed a new method of shortening plant breeding cycles, after taking their cue from space. According to reports, when experts at the University of Queensland saw NASA using continuous light to trick wheat into rapidly growing in space, they wanted to try the same thing on earth.
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For the technique, speed breeding led lights are used continuously for 22 hours a day, due to which, early reproduction in the plants takes place.
According to the Australian researcher, Australia is capable of going from seed to seed in just 6 weeks for wheat, barley and it works for a whole bunch of other crops that are grown in Australia and other countries around the world like chick pea or canola.
The whole idea of this speed breeding that Australia can now achieve up to six generations per year instead of just one in the field. Along with this, the quality and yield of the plants grown under these conditions is just as good if not better than in regular glasshouses.
Now, they are analyzing how to integrate speed breeding with the latest in genomics and modern crop breeding technology.
By 2050, Australia will be able to use the technique to help feed nine billion mouths.
Image Credit: replublicworld
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