Improved tolerance to waterlogging and dryland salinity has been achieved by introducing into the wheat genome all seven chromosomes from sea barley grass.
 
The GRDC-supported research, conducted by the Co-operative Research Centre for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity, has demonstrated wild species, such as sea barley grass, can be crossed with wheat.
 
Project leader, Dr Tim Colmer said it was a huge step forward and work is underway to see whether it could lead to a new cereal in itself.
 
In the long term, Dr Colmer hopes the research leads to the development of a high quality wheat variety that can be grown on saline land.
 
"In Western Australia alone, waterlogging and salinity adversely affects 1.8 million hectares of crops and pastures," he said.

Contact: Dr Tim Colmer, Tel 08 6488 1993