Researchers found that a new wheat gene that helps the plant to adapt according to different climates and increase grain production.

The newly found VRN-D4 gene and its three counterpart genes which were earlier identified are crucial for understanding wheat vernalisation, the biological process requiring cold temperatures to trigger flower formation, the study said.

The VRN-D4 gene and the other three vernalisation genes can be used by plant breeders to modify vernalization requirements as they work to develop wheat varieties that are better adapted to different regions or changing environments.

Because vernalization governs flowering time, it is important to a plant's reproductive success and key to maximising grain production in wheat, barley and other cereal crops, Kippes from University of California, Davis in the US.

Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/