In response to the threat posed by rising temperatures to agricultural crops worldwide, a team of researchers from the United States and China has discovered a method to help plants survive extreme heat.
Scientists from universities in the United States, including Yale, the University of California, Berkeley, and Duke University, collaborated with Huazhong Agricultural University (China) to develop a technique that enhances plants’ resilience to hot weather.
Heat-resistant plants developed to prevent food crises during heatwaves.
The research team found that hot weather weakens salicylic acid (a plant hormone). This diminishes the plants’ defensive capabilities against insect attacks and pathogens.
To prevent the decline of salicylic acid due to heat, the scientists conducted gene sequencing of crops at different temperatures to identify the gene responsible for reducing salicylic acid hormone levels. They discovered that CBP60g is the gene that causes the loss of defensive capabilities in food crops.
The researchers explained that when CBP60g becomes inactive due to excessive heat, it simultaneously halts protein production (which is key to generating salicylic acid) and reduces the plant’s defensive strength.
As a result, they developed a mutated CBP60g gene that can function even in hot weather, aimed at preventing attacks from pathogens and pests.
According to Euronews, crops such as rapeseed and watercress have shown promising results when tested with the mutated CBP60g gene.
“If this gene mutation helps other common food crops adapt to hot conditions, it will ensure stable yields,” Euronews added.
However, applying the mutated CBP60g gene to food crops will still require further evaluation, as the research team is not yet certain about the flavor and safety of the modified crops.
