Hungry? Why Wait? Grab Genetics.

Researchers all over the world are spending countless hours trying to form recombinant genes for a better crop. To do so, they must cross two plants that each carry a specific beneficial gene and hopefully end up with an offspring carrying both genes.

On top of the race for a better crop, the current struggles with climate and overall food output are not helping much either. Not to mention insects and fungus that will harp on production whether its a perfect sunny day or not.

University of Maryland's Jose Costa is working on producing a wheat plant that is far less susceptible to a specific disease called wheat scab. He knows of a less vulnerable strain of wheat from China and plans on mating that with a local strain that produce a high overall output. The problem here is that only about 1 in 1000 offspring are likely to carry the desired gene, so the task is not an easy one.

One way of making the study easier and more accurate is through the use of genetic markers. These genetic markers are used to locate the gene far easier than searching for it blindly. Genetic markers are sort of like landmarks on a road map in that they guide you in the right direction. By the use of genetic markers, full maturity of the plant is not necessary because you're working in genotype not phenotype.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization predicts a 70% increase in the need for food by 2050 to keep up with the growing population. By the use of cross-breeding and genetic markers, this goal is more than possible.