Cold hardiness originating from antarctic grass Deschampia to be transfered to crops

13 April 2006

A gene from Deschampia antarctica, a hairy grass species, prevents ice crystals being formed even at temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius. The pointed ice nuclei can cause irreparable frost damage to membranes and other cell components. This mechanism against frost damage reminds of the 'ice-minus-bacteria' developed over a decade ago to protect soft fruits, like strawberries from cold spring spells.

The April 11 2006 issue of the Dutch daily NRC mentions an Australian research group that has incorporated the gene into 'a model plant' and has plans to transfer it into crops as well. Currently the genetically modified plants are tested at low termperatures. According to the article, about 5 to 10 procent of what the world could harvest is lost because of frost damage.

source: NRC 11 april 2006