World Grain - September 2018 - 12

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Researchers decipher complex
wheat genome code
BETHESDA, MARYLAND, U.S. - The International Wheat
Genome Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC) on Aug. 16 published
a detailed description of the genome of bread wheat, an effort that
researchers believe will pave the way for the development of wheat
varieties that are better adapted to climate challenges, have higher
yields and enhanced nutritional quality, and improved sustainability.
The description of the genome of the bread variety Chinese Spring
appears in the international journal Science.
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20 countries, the IWGSC said.
According to the IWGSC, the completion of the reference genome
sequence will give breeders more tools at their disposal to address
the many challenges that face wheat and its role in global food security. The IWGSC cited data suggesting wheat productivity needs to
increase by 1.6% each year to meet the demands of a global population that is expected to reach 9.6 billion by 2050.
With the genome, the hope is that breeders now will be able to
more rapidly identify genes and regulatory elements underlying
complex agronomic traits such as yield, grain quality and resistance
to fungal diseases, the IWGSC said.
"The wheat genome sequence lets us look inside the wheat engine,"
said Rudi Appels, University of Melbourne and Murdoch University
professor and AgriBio research fellow. "What we see is beautifully
put together to allow for variation and adaptation to different enviURQPHQWVWKURXJKVHOHFWLRQDVZHOODVVXI¿FLHQWVWDELOLW\WRPDLQWDLQ
basic structures for survival under various climatic conditions."
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larger than the human genome - it's also complex, and researchers for many years considered breaking the code a near impossible
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those observed with corn and rice after their reference sequences
were produced.
"The publication of the wheat reference genome is the culmination of the work of many individuals who came together under the

banner of the IWGSC to do what was considered impossible," said
Kellye Eversole, executive director of the IWGSC. "The method of
producing the reference sequence and the principles and policies of
the consortium provide a model for sequencing large, complex plant
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for advancing food security."
In addition to the sequence of the 21 chromosomes, the Science article also presents the precise location of 107,891 genes and of more
than 4 million molecular markers, as well as sequence information
between the genes and markers containing the regulatory elements
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Publication of the complete genome of bread wheat elicited strong
responses across the industry.
"It is a dream come true for Kansas wheat farmers, who were the
¿UVWWRLQYHVWLQWKHZKHDWJHQRPHVHTXHQFLQJSURMHFWDQGZHUHSLYotal in rallying U.S. wheat farmers in support of the wheat genome
sequencing project," said Bikram Gill, distinguished professor emeritus of plant pathology at Kansas State University (KSU) who orJDQL]HGWKH¿UVW1DWLRQDO6FLHQFH)RXQGDWLRQDQG86'HSDUWPHQW
of Agriculture-sponsored workshop planning meeting on wheat geQRPHVHTXHQFLQJLQ:DVKLQJWRQLQ
Curtis Pozniak, researcher and wheat breeder at the Crop
Development Centre in the University of Saskatchewan's College of
Agriculture and Bioresources, said he was proud to be part of a research team that made a discovery with the potential for "disruptive
innovation in wheat improvement."
"Essentially we have completed the wheat genome jigsaw puzzle
with all the pieces put together in their correct positions and order,
providing an enormous advantage for breeders when searching for
genes that control important traits in the crop," Pozniak said. "This
breakthrough research will help produce better wheat varieties over
the long term."
With the wheat genome now sequenced, the IWGSC said the next
step will be focusing on producing a genome sequenced-based toolbox for breeders and scientists to use for wheat improvement.

La Coop fédérée acquires stake in W-S Feed & Supplies
MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA - La Coop fédérée, an agrifood cooperative with operations across Canada, has reached an
agreement to acquire a 50% stake in Tavistock, Ontario, CanadaEDVHG:6)HHG	6XSSOLHV)LQDQFLDOWHUPVRIWKHWUDQVDFWLRQZHUH
not disclosed.
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Ontario, Canada. The company will continue to manufacture a variety of feeds for organic, beef, swine and poultry production in
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Tavistock feed mill produces feed for multiple species.
12

"This investment represents a strategic entry into the Ontario market, in the animal nutrition industry this time," said Ghislain Gervais,
president of La Coop fédérée. "This partnership develops our portfolio of operations in the province and shows how important it is for
us to provide farmers across the country with quality products and
solutions for their animal feed."
The Agri-business Division of La Coop fédérée gained a foothold
in the animal feed segment in Canada through the acquisition of
Standard Nutrition Canada. The division acquired the Ontario-based
crop input and grain assets of Cargill earlier this year. The transaction
is subject to approval by Canada's Competition Bureau.
September 2018 / World Grain / www.World-Grain.com
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World Grain - September 2018

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