Research in Western Australia has found promising characteristics in tall wheatgrass that will be introduced to commercial wheat varieties in order to substantially improve their tolerance to salinity.

Salinity is a major stress factor for wheat that can significantly impact on yield however University of Western Australia PhD student, Daniel Mullan, in collaboration with the WA Department of Agriculture and with the support of growers and the Australian Government through the GRDC, has identified salt tolerance characteristics in tall wheatgrass (Lophopyrum) that may feature prominently in breeding programs aimed at combating Australia's increasing problems with salinity.

Mr Mullan says one chromosome from tall wheatgrass was identified as being responsible for an approximate 50% reduction in sodium and chloride concentration in leaves of wheat lines when grown in 40% sea water.

Mr Mullan says traditional cross-breeding strategies and the development of new molecular technologies have been used to incorporate small chromosome segments containing the ion exclusion mechanisms employed by tall wheatgrass into bread wheat.

This means plants respond better to salt with the potential of retaining the quality and agronomic attributes of Australian wheat. Mr Mullan says there is potential for salt-tolerant wheats to provide sufficient yields in some of the areas affected by salinity that would otherwise be unsuitable, or at least unprofitable, for cropping. According to Salt Control SA, a staggering 421,000 hectares of South Australian agricultural land will be affected by salinity by 2020.

Breeding for salinity tolerance involves the combining of many traits. However, with further research and analysis, Mr Mullan's plant lines containing wheatgrass genes will ultimately contribute to salt tolerance of Australian wheat. The material is still at the pre-breeding stage, but will soon be ready for inclusion in larger breeding programs with the possibility of contributing to salt tolerance of Australian wheats within 5-10 years.