’Rees’ wheat gives more crop per drop

Rees, a new drought tolerant wheat variety, was released today by CSIRO joint venture organisation, Graingene.

CSIRO Plant Industry scientist Dr Richard Richards says Rees has an advantage over comparable wheats in dry years, producing about five per cent more grain despite receiving the same rainfall.

“Rees is the second variety to be developed using scientific gene selection criteria based on measuring a plant’s carbon isotope signature,” Dr Richards says.

“By using the DELTA technique, we are able to breed varieties of wheat that more efficiently exchange atmospheric carbon dioxide for water during photosynthesis,” Dr Richards says.

“In addition, Rees has outstanding resistance to the major wheat diseases and excellent yellow alkaline noodle qualities.

“Rees is the second commercial release of a wheat variety from Graingene, a joint venture between AWB Limited, the Grains Research and Development Corporation and CSIRO Plant Industry.

The variety was developed in collaboration with the ANU, the Queensland Department of Primary Industry/Enterprise Grains Australia and is being commercialised and distributed by AWB Seeds.