By Brandon Tillett, PhD Candidate, MSU Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology
All the wheat breeders at Montana State University are very excited about the gene HaHB4 and its potential to increase drought tolerance in the wheat we grow here in the state. HaHB4 was discovered in the Sunflower where it assists in the ability of that crop to deal with drought conditions. An Argentinian company, Bioceres Crop Solutions, inserted this gene into bread wheat where it conferred a drought tolerant quality to the wheat.
The method by which Bioceres has inserted HaHB4 into wheat is considered GMO. Of course, this raises market concerns when it comes to wheat. MWBC and MSU researchers are working to obtain the Bioceres event in bread wheat, recreate the event in durum wheat, as well as approach increasing drought tolerance through non-GMO methods. We have identified the gene in wheat that is most similar to HaHB4 and have begun the conventional research methods to evaluate that gene. This evaluation starts with screening all our Montana adapted lines for the gene to look for any differences in the gene code or gene expression. Once natural variation of the wheat version of HB4 is found, experiments can be carried out to determine the impact of this native gene in wheat on drought tolerance. We are very hopeful that through investigation of the wheat version of HB4 we will be able to come up with solutions to increase drought tolerance in a non-GMO manner.
Both the GMO and non-GMO approach are being applied to the effort to increase drought tolerance, so that Montana wheat is prepared for a future of unpredictable rainfall. Which effort will be deployed commercially all depends on the changing regulations surrounding GMO wheat, market appeal, and of course which method makes a more drought tolerant plant.