Event Details

Plant & Crop Sciences Seminar: Breaking the species barrier in cereals to allow hybridization of C3 and C4 plants

Introgression of C₄ photosynthesis into C₃ crops could significantly enhance yield, by alleviating photorespiratory losses. However, this objective is challenging because the C₄ pathway involves complex modifications to the biochemistry and anatomy of leaves. This talk will focus on the development of a new technology that allows asexual hybridization of C₃ and C₄ monocots, including important crops such as wheat, which may facilitate the transfer of C₄ photosynthesis into C₃ species through breeding. More broadly, it may enable the incorporation of other complex traits between sexually incompatible species for crop improvement.